title: Prognostic value of serum and ascites levels of estradiol, FSH, LH and prolactin in ovarian cancer.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sex hormone levels on tumor biology and patients' outcome in ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and six patients with ovarian cancer were enrolled into this prospective study. Serum and ascites samples were obtained intraoperatively. Concentrations of estradiol, FSH, LH and prolactin were measured and correlated with parameters of tumor biology, such as FIGO stage, tumor spread and postoperative tumor residual mass. Patients with primary ovarian cancer were compared to patients with recurrent disease. Influence factors on progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meyer method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum FSH concentrations were significantly higher and estradiol concentrations in ascites were significantly lower in patients with recurrent disease. According the multivariate analysis, only FSH level in ascites was seen to be an independent prognostic factor for patients' survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High level of FSH in the ascites provides prognostic information in patients with ovarian cancer and is inversely correlated with patients' survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Charité University Medicine Berlin Campus Virchow-Klinikum Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. frank.chen@charite.de
authors.forename: Frank Chih-Kang
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guelten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oskay-Ozcelik
authors.forename: Kai J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bühling
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Köpstein
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mentze
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lichtenegger
authors.forename: Jalid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sehouli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone