MORPHOPHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF OVARIAN SEROUS BORDERLINE TUMORS.

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent particular challenge for diagnosis and clinical management as they are characterized with the features of both benign cystadenomas and malignant carcinomas. The aim of our study was to investigate histomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of ovarian serous-papillary borderline tumors, compared to serous cystadenomas and low- and high-grade serous carcinomas. Altogether, 80 formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue specimens, distributed in four groups, including serous cystadenoma (group I), serous BOTs (group II), Low (group III) and high (group IV) grade serous carcinomas, were investigated by standard immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against CK7 CK20, WT1, Vimentin, CDX2, CEA, ER, cyclin D1, BCL2, E-cadherin, calretinin, СA125, Ki67, P53. Study results showed, that ovarian serous BOTs are characterized with slightly increase proliferative potential compared to benign cystadenomas, whilst apoptotic potential is retained with the difference from malignant serous carcinomas. p53 mutation is not present, as well as the expression of Vimentin. Overall, ovarian serous BOTs are characterized with highly variable immunohistochemical phenotype and the use of multiple immunohistochemical markers are recommended for the differential diagnosis from low grade serous carcinomas and benign cystadenomas.

Cytohistological diagnosis of pancreatic serous cystadenoma: a multimodal approach.

AIMS: Serous cystadenomata (SCAs) are benign pancreatic cystic neoplasms that present a diagnostic challenge despite many investigational approaches. Notwithstanding the promise of molecular diagnostics, these tests have limited accessibility in day-to-day surgical pathology practices. We aim to corroborate and build on recent evidence which suggests that positive α-inhibin immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a helpful adjunct in the biopsy confirmation of pancreatic SCA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 22 fine-needle aspirates/biopsies from 14 patients (mean age 65 years, 47-83 years) with pancreatic multicystic lesions radiologically suspicious for SCA (location: 6 body, 2 head, 4 tail, 1 neck, 1 uncinate; cyst size: mean 3.7 cm, 2.0-7.6 cm), as well as an additional 10 pancreatic resection specimens with confirmed SCA; α-inhibin IHC was performed on all cell blocks, biopsy slides and representative resection specimen sections. Where available, associated cyst fluid was analysed for correlative vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and carcinoembryonic antigen levels. RESULTS: An α-inhibin IHC sensitivity of 80% was observed in the cases with resection confirmed SCA. Of the fine-needle aspirate/biopsy specimens, 59% (13/22) contained epithelial cells strongly positive for α-inhibin. When selecting for specimens that exhibited distinct strips of epithelium, the α-inhibin strong positivity rate increased to 73% (8/11). VEGF-A values were supportive of false-negative α-inhibin IHC in three cases and true-negative α-inhibin IHC in one case. CONCLUSION: This study postulates a diagnostic algorithm to confirm pancreatic SCA which may help to decrease unnecessary follow-up endoscopy/surgical resection and would decrease the associated morbidity, mortality and financial costs in patients with this otherwise benign condition.

Laparoscopic fenestration of pancreatic serous cystadenoma: Minimally invasive approach for symptomatic benign disease.

Serous cystadenoma (SC) is a benign pancreatic cystic tumor. Surgical resection is recommended for symptomatic forms, but laparoscopic fenestration of large symptomatic macrocystic SC was not yet described in the literature. In this study, 3 female patients underwent laparoscopic fenestration for macrocystic SC (12-14 cm). Diagnosis was established via magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasound, with intra-cystic dosage of tumors markers (ACE and CA19-9) in 2 patients. All patients were symptomatic and operated on 15-60 mo after diagnosis. Radiological evaluation showed constant cyst growth. Patients were informed about this new surgical modality that can avoid pancreatic resection. The mean operative time was 103 min (70-150 min) with one conversion. The post-operative course was marked by a grade A pancreatic fistula in one patient and was uneventful in the other two. The hospital stay was 3, 10, and 18 d, respectively. The diagnosis of macrocystic SC was histologically-confirmed in all cases. At the last follow-up (13-26 mo), all patients were symptom-free, and radiological evaluation showed complete disappearance of the cyst. Laparoscopic fenestration, as opposed to resection, should be considered for large symptomatic macrocystic SC, thereby avoiding pancreatic resection morbidity and mortality.

Bilateral Sertoli cell adenoma in gonads, associated with serous cystadenoma.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is an extremely infrequent disease. The patients exhibit female phenotype because of insensitivity to the androgen receptor and may develop tumors, especially in their undescended gonads. We report a case of bilateral Sertoli cell adenoma in gonads with unilateral serous cystadenoma, in an elderly phenotypic woman with primary amenorrhea. We also provide radiological and pathological studies.

Inhibitory role of prohibitin in human ovarian epithelial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the exact individual roles of gonadotropins on ovarian epithelial carcinogenesis, an earlier study showed that prohibitin was significantly up-regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH). To further clarify the role of prohibitin in ovarian carcinogenesis and its association with LH, herein we studied the expression of prohibitin in various ovarian tissues including different developmental stages of ovarian epithelial tumors. METHODS: A total of 135 samples were studied by immunohistochemistry. These included benign ovarian cases with follicles, ovarian surface epithelia and ovarian epithelial inclusions (OEI) (n=30), serous cystadenoma (n=14), serous borderline tumor (n=12), serous carcinoma (n=20), mucinous cystadenoma (n=10), mucinous borderline tumor (n=10), mucinous carcinomas (n=10), endometrioid carcinomas (n=12), poorly/undifferentiated carcinomas (n=5), and fallopian tube (n=12). RESULTS: Strong and diffuse staining of prohibitin was detected in luteinized ovarian stromal cells, follicular cells, fallopian tube, and OEI with serous differentiation. A significantly higher prohibitin expression in luteinized stromal cells than in non-luteinized stromal cells was observed (P<.01). Within the ovarian epithelium, the level of prohibitin expression was basically negative in ovarian surface epithelia, but highly expressed in OEI. However, compared to the level of prohibitin expression in OEI, it showed a trend of gradual loss from benign ovarian tumors, to borderline tumors and to carcinomas (P<.0001). Compared to the serous tumors, epithelial tumors with mucinous differentiation showed a significant lower level of prohibitin (P<.0001). An inverse correlation was noted between prohibitin expression and cancer grade. It is interesting to note that a high prohibitin expression level was seen in the fallopian tube, which is similar to OEI. CONCLUSIONS: These data further suggest that prohibitin plays a tumor suppressing role, which is probably associated with LH mediated protection role against ovarian epithelial carcinoma. In addition to the tumor suppressive role of prohibitin, it also plays a role in cellular differentiation, which may be helpful to differentiate ovarian mucinous tumors from the tumors with serous differentiation in clinical settings. More importantly, our findings are supportive that the ovarian epithelial cancers, particularly the serous cancers including those precursors with serous differentiation are likely to be derived from fallopian tube instead of ovarian surface epithelia.

Clinical decision making in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Pancreatic cystic lesions continue to pose diagnostic and management dilemmas for physicians. This may be related, in part, to the fact that these lesions represent a range of diagnostic possibilities, from inflammatory cysts and nonmucinous cysts to mucinous cysts, which may or may not have foci of invasive malignancy. Adequate characterization of cystic lesions is necessary to help devise a management plan. Moreover, patient-related factors such as comorbid conditions are often essential in deciding whether patients should be managed by a conservative approach of watchful waiting versus surgical resection, if so indicated. This review summarizes the recent advances in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Tubal origin of 'ovarian' low-grade serous carcinoma.

Ovarian low-grade serous carcinomas are thought to evolve in a stepwise fashion from ovarian epithelial inclusions, cystadenomas, and borderline tumors. The current study was designed to gain insight into the origins of low-grade serous carcinomas (tubal versus ovarian) by comparatively evaluating the morphologic (secretory and ciliated cell distribution) and immunophenotypic (using antibodies to PAX8, tubulin, calretinin, and Ki67) attributes of its putative precursor lesions, the normal tubal epithelium, and the overt malignancy. A total of 226 adnexal tissues from 178 patients were studied, including 98 adnexae removed for non-neoplastic indications, 48 serous cystadenomas, 42 serous borderline tumors, and 38 low-grade serous carcinomas. Normal distal tubal epithelium comprised an admixture of PAX8+/tubulin- secretory cells and PAX8-/tubulin+ ciliated cells with a proliferative index of ∼3%. The vast majority of ovarian surface epithelia displayed a mesothelial phenotype (calretinin+/PAX8-/tubulin-) and low proliferative index (0% (12 per 1000)), although 4% of cases also displayed foci with tubal phenotype (calretinin-/PAX8+/tubulin+). In contrast, most (78%) of the ovarian epithelial inclusions displayed a tubal phenotype and had a significantly higher proliferative index (1%) than ovarian surface epithelium, indicating that in most cases, the ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian epithelial inclusions are of different lineages. There was a progressive decrease in the population of ciliated cells, as evidenced by increasing secretory/ciliated cell ratio, from ovarian epithelial inclusions/cystadenomas to borderline tumors to low-grade serous carcinoma, indicating that the latter is a clonal expansion of secretory cells. Overall, the findings make a strong argument that the ovarian epithelial inclusions with a tubal phenotype is likely derived from fallopian tube through an intraovarian endosalpingiosis rather than through Mullerian metaplasia from ovarian surface epithelium. Genetic and molecular studies are needed to further confirm this finding as tubal origination of ovarian serous cancers will have a significant impact on ovarian cancer prevention and management.

GLUT-1 expression in pancreatic neoplasia: implications in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: GLUT-1 has been found to have an important role in the upregulation of various cellular pathways and implicated in neoplastic transformation correlating with biological behavior in malignancies. However, literature regarding the significance of GLUT-1 expression in pancreatic neoplasia has been limited and controversial. METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression of GLUT-1 was tested in a variety of pancreatic neoplasia including ductal adenocarcinomas (DAs), pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanINs), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), and serous cystadenomas. RESULTS: There was a progressive increase in the expression of GLUT-1 from low- to higher-grade dysplastic lesions: All higher-grade PanINs/IPMNs (the ones with moderate/high-grade dysplasia) revealed noticeable GLUT-1 expression. Among the 94 DAs analyzed, there were minimal/moderate expression in 46 and significant expression in 24 DAs. However, all 4 clear-cell variants of DAs revealed significant GLUT-1 immunolabeling, as did areas of clear-cell change seen in other DAs. Moreover, all 12 serous cystadenomas expressed significant GLUT-1. GLUT-1 expression was also directly correlated with DA histological grade (P = 0.016) and tumor size (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: GLUT-1 may give rise to the distinctive clear-cell appearance of these tumors by inducing the accumulation of glycogen in the cytoplasm. Additionally, because GLUT-1 expression was related to histological grade and tumor size of DA, further studies are warranted to investigate the association of GLUT-1 with prognosis and tumor progression.

Glycosylation variants of mucins and CEACAMs as candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cystic lesions of the pancreas are increasingly being recognized due to the widespread use of high resolution abdominal imaging. Since certain cyst types are precursors to invasive cancer, this situation presents an opportunity to intervene prior to malignant progression. Effective implementation of that strategy has been hampered by difficulties in clearly distinguishing cystic lesions with no malignant potential from those with malignant potential. Here we explored whether glycosylation variants on specific proteins in cyst fluid samples could serve as biomarkers to aid in this diagnosis. METHODS: We used a novel antibody-lectin sandwich microarray method to measure the protein expression and glycosylation of mucin (MUC)1, MUC5AC, MUC16, carcinoembryonic antigen, and other proteins implicated in pancreatic neoplasia in cyst fluid samples. Fifty-three cyst fluid samples were obtained from patients with mucinous cystic neoplasms (n=17), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (n=15), serous cystadenomas (n=12), or pseudocysts (n=9), with confirmation of histologic diagnosis at surgical resection. RESULTS: The detection of a glycan variant on MUC5AC using the lectin wheat-germ agglutinin discriminated mucin-producing cystic tumors (mucinous cystic neoplasms+intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) from benign cystic lesions (serous cystadenomas+pseudocysts) with a 78% sensitivity at 80% specificity, and when used in combination with cyst fluid CA 19-9 gave a sensitivity of 87% at 86% specificity. These biomarkers performed better than cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (37%/80% sensitivity/specificity). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the value of glycan variants for biomarker discovery and suggest that these biomarkers could greatly enhance the accuracy of differentiating pancreatic cystic tumors. Validation studies will be required to determine the clinical value of these markers.

Pancreatic cyst fluid protein expression profiling for discriminating between serous cystadenoma and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with benign serous cystadenoma (SCA) of the pancreas will undergo resection because of the inability to reliably discriminate between SCA and premalignant mucinous cysts (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm [IPMN], mucinous cystic neoplasm [MCN]). METHODS: Cyst fluid from patients with SCA (n = 15), non main-duct and noninvasive IPMN (n = 32), and noninvasive MCN (n = 12) was aspirated at the time of operative resection and analyzed. Commercially available and custom designed multiplex assays (Luminex) were performed using a biomarker panel developed for pancreatic cancer. Differential protein expression (fluorescence intensity, FI) was compared between the 3 groups for each protein (Wilcoxon rank sum test). Unsupervised sample clustering (hierarchical clustering) and supervised sample classification (prediction analysis for microarrays [PAM]) was then performed. RESULTS: Differential protein expression (P < 0.05) was identified between SCA and IPMN (34/51 proteins, 67%) and between SCA and MCN (13/51 proteins, 25%). The majority of proteins were down-regulated in IPMN and MCN compared with SCA. The only proteins significantly overexpressed in the cyst fluid of patients with mucinous cysts were CEA (median FI: IPMN 11.4, MCN 13.0, SCA 5.3; P < 0.001, IPMN vs. SCA) and CA72.4 (median FI: IPMN 10.4, MCN 10.5, SCA 9.9; P = 0.003, IPMN vs. SCA). Unsupervised cluster analysis demonstrated distinct clustering of SCA and IPMN with some cross-over between MCN. Supervised sample classification with 14 proteins had an overall accuracy rate of 92% between SCA and IPMN. CONCLUSIONS: In this study differential cyst fluid protein expression was observed between SCA and IPMN for the majority of proteins assessed and multimarker sample classification accurately discriminated between SCA and IPMN in 92% of patients.

Identification of malignancy factors by analyzing cystic tumors of the pancreas.

AIM: The diversity in the aggressiveness of cystic tumors of the pancreas - ranging from the usually benign serous cystadenoma to lesions of variable degrees of malignancy - was utilized for the identification of molecular factors that are involved in the occurrence of malignancy. METHODS: We analyzed the transcript profiles of different cystic tumor types. The results were confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemistry. Also, functional studies with siRNA silencing were performed. RESULTS: Expression variations at the RNA and protein level were identified that are closely correlated with the degree of malignancy. Besides, all tumors could be classified effectively by this means. Many of the identified factors had not previously been known to be associated with malignant cystic lesions. siRNA silencing of the gene with the most prominent variation - the anti-apoptotic factor FASTK (Fas-activated serine/threonine kinase) - revealed a regulative effect on several genes known to be relevant to the development of tumors. CONCLUSION: By a molecular analysis of rare types of pancreatic cancer, which are less frequent in terms of disease, variations could be identified that could be critical for the regulation of malignancy and thus relevant to the treatment of also the majority of pancreatic tumors.

Serous and mucinous ovarian tumors express different profiles of MMP-2, -7, -9, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-1 and -2.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play key roles in tumorigenesis, but little is known of their expression according to mucinous or serous type. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2, -7, -9, MT1-MMP, TIMP-1 and -2 in these tumors. A tissue microarray was set up including 99 serous (25 benign, 27 borderline, 47 malignant) and 79 mucinous (25 benign, 44 borderline, 10 malignant) ovarian tumors. Immunostaining results were scored by using the HSCORE and assessed by univariate, unsupervised hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling analyses. Epithelial expression of MMP-2, -7, -9, MT1-MMP, TIMP-2, but not TIMP-1, was higher in serous than mucinous tumors. Stromal expression of MMP-7 was higher in serous tumors. Alterations in MT1-MMP, MMP-7 and -9 were found in malignant serous tumors, while benign and borderline tumors shared similar expressions. By unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis, mucinous and serous tumors were better differentiated by epithelial than stromal MMP and TIMP immunolabelling. By multidimensional scaling analysis, the expressions of MMPs and TIMPs were scattered in serous tumors and homogeneous for mucinous tumors. In conclusion, our results support the differential expression in MMPs and TIMPs of ovarian tumors according to serous or mucinous histology.

Serous borderline tumor of the paratestis.

Reported herein is a case of serous borderline tumor (SBT, ovarian epithelial type tumor) of the paratestis, involving the tunica vaginalis, in a 64-year-old man. The patient complained of right hydrocele; puncture cytology of the turbid fluid pointed to an adenocarcinoma. Right orchiectomy was performed and multiple micronodules were grossly observed in the paratestis. On microscopy small papillary epithelial lesions were found with psammoma bodies and intraglandular papillary lesions were irregularly recognized in the stroma of the paratestis, similar to SBT of the ovary. The tumor cells had often short microvilli. Mucin production was evident on PAS and colloid iron staining. Both papillary and glandular epithelial cells were positive on immunohistochemistry for Ber-EP4/epithelial antigen, low-molecular-weight cytokeratin (CAM5.2), cytokeratin 7 and estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors, but negative for CEA, cytokeratin 20 and calretinin. The average proliferative index was approximately 10.5% as assessed on Ki-67 (MIB-1) staining. Ultrastructurally, the cells did not demonstrate any well-developed microvilli or secretory granules and immunohistochemical findings supported SBT of Müllerian type (ovarian epithelial type tumor), while excluding a papillary type of malignant mesothelioma. The lesion in the present case was concluded to be a testicular serous tumor of Müllerian type, similar to SBT of the ovary.

Prognostic significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in epithelial ovarian cancer.

AIMS: We investigated the prognostic significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in epithelial ovarian cancer as well as their relation to hyaluronan (HA) expression. METHODS: The expression of EMMPRIN and MMP-2 was analyzed immunohistochemically in 295 primary epithelial ovarian cancer patients and 67 metastases. RESULTS: A low membranous EMMPRIN expression was detected more often in serous tumors than in other types (p < 0.0005) and it was associated with tumors of advanced stage (p = 0.012) or with a large primary residual (p = 0.011). A low expression of MMP-2 in cancer cells was associated with a high histologic grade (grade 3) of the tumor (p = 0.005) and endometrioid type of tumors (p < 0.0005). Stromal MMP-2 expression was significantly associated with strong stromal HA expression (p = 0.002, r = 0.187). In univariate analysis, 10-year disease-related (DRS) and recurrence-free survivals were significantly better when MMP-2 expression in cancer cells was high (p = 0.0057 and p = 0.0467, respectively). DRS was also better when membranous EMMPRIN expression was high (p = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, strong MMP-2 in cancer cells (RR = 1.48, CI = 1.07-2.04, p = 0.017) indicated favorable DRS. CONCLUSION: Our results show that EMMPRIN and MMP-2 in cancer cells are significant indicators of a favorable prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Retinoid receptor alpha and Beta expression in serous ovarian tumors.

The expression of retinoid acid receptors alpha (RARalpha) and beta (RARbeta) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in normal ovaries, serous cystadenoma (n = 20), serous borderline (n = 14), and serous ovarian cancer (n = 47) and was correlated in cancer cases with stage, grade, progress-free survival (PFS), and survival. RARalpha was increasingly expressed in benign cystadenomas, borderline, and low-stage and advanced-stage neoplasms (p < 0.001). In stage III, G3 serous carcinoma, increased RARalpha expression was an independent prognostic factor associated with lower chemoresponse to first-line chemotherapy (taxol and carboplatin) and shorter PFS (p < 0.002).RARbeta and ERalpha expression did not correlate with RARalpha tumor characteristics or PFS and survival.

Cyst fluid analysis obtained by EUS-guided FNA in the evaluation of discrete cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: a prospective single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is imperative before selecting available treatment options, such as surgical resection, drainage, or conservative therapy. Available modalities, CT and magnetic resonance imaging, have been inconsistent in diagnosis. Reports involving EUS and cyst fluid analysis have been encouraging, including studies of EUS features and/or cyst fluid analysis, which may differentiate pancreatic cystic neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively determine cyst fluid characteristics that differentiate cystic neoplasms. DESIGN: Patient evaluation included (1) EUS features (reported elsewhere) and (2) cyst fluid analysis (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA 19-9], amylase and lipase, viscosity [VIS], mucin stain, and cytology). Exclusion criteria included the following: intraductal papillary mucinous tumor lesions, bloody cyst aspirate, neuroendocrine tumors, and patients without surgical histopathology. SETTING: Pancreatic Biliary Center, St Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PATIENTS: A total of 102 patients (60 women, 42 men; age, 23-76 years) presented for evaluation of pancreatic cystic neoplasm; 71 underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: Seventy-one of 102 patients who underwent surgery presented the following histopathologic correlates: 23 pseudocysts (PC), 13 serous cystadenoma (SCyA), 21 mucinous cystadenoma (MCyA), and 14 mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCyA-CA). Cyst fluid analysis of these patients showed the following: VIS was lower in PC (mean, 1.3) and SCyA (1.27) when compared with MCyA (1.84) and MCyA-CA (1.9). All mucinous neoplasms had VIS >1.6, whereas only 2 mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) had VIS = 1.6 (both PC). The CEA level was significantly higher in MCyA (adenoma [878 ng/mL], carcinoma [27,581 ng/mL]) vs PC (189 ng/mL), and SCyA (121 ng/mL). Amylase levels were higher in PC (7210 U/L) compared with cystic neoplasm (SCyA, 679 U/L; MCyA, 1605 U/L; MCyA-CA, 569 U/L). CONCLUSIONS: Differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasm is significantly enhanced by cyst fluid analysis. Elevated CEA (> or =480 ng/mL) and VIS (>1.6) accurately predict MCN from SCyA and PC. Malignant from benign MCN can be differentiated by CEA levels > or =6000 ng/mL.

Clinicopathological study of metallothionein immunohistochemical expression, in benign, borderline and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of cystein-rich metal-binding proteins, which are expressed in normal cells during fetal and postnatal life but also in a variety of human neoplasms. MT expression in human tumors has been linked to resistance to anticancer drugs and differentiation and progression in some types of tumors. This study examined the immunohistochemical expression of MTs in benign, borderline and malignant tumors of ovarian surface epithelium and the possible correlations with clinicopathological parameters and survival. A total of 87 cases with diagnosis of ovarian surface epithelial tumors were included. Specifically, 21 cases of benign cystadenomas (11 serous and 10 mucinous), 14 borderline (low malignant potential tumors, 8 mucinous and 6 serous) and 52 cases of ovarian cancer were analysed. Immunohistochemical expression of MT (cut-off level > 10% of tumor cells) was clearly associated with malignancy. A statistically significant correlation was found between the expression of MT in cancer cases and benign tumors (p < 0.0001) and cancer cases and borderline tumors p = 0.003. In cancer cases a difference was observed between grade I and III (p = 0.002). There was no correlation of MT overexpression with survival in the small number of ovarian carcinoma patients where it was analysed. MT constitutes a marker that characterizes aggressiveness and a high malignant potential in ovarian epithelial tumors. In diagnostic problems MT may help distinguish between benign, borderline and malignant tumors.

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptor in ovarian pathology.

OBJECTIVE: The soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, s-VEGFR-1, may negatively regulate the action of VEGF. Our purpose was to better understand the regulation of angiogenetic processes in ovarian cysts. METHODS: Seventy-three women, 36 with serous cystoadenoma, 30 with ovarian endometriosis and seven with cystoadenocarcinoma, were enrolled. We calculated both VEGF and s-VEGFR-1 levels in cystic fluid and a VEGF activity index by means of the ratio VEGF/s-VEGFR-1. Student's t test was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found higher VEGF concentration in both endometriotic and malignant lesions than in serous cystoadenoma (p=0.03 and 0.001, respectively). Also s-VEGFR-1 concentration was higher in endometrioma than in serous cysts (p=0.005); however, there was no statistically significant difference between cystoadenoma and the malignant lesions (p=0.15). VEGF activity index in cystoadenoma, endometriotic and malignant lesions was 0.61, 0.27 and 0.50, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF certainly has an important role in both ovarian endometriosis and for cancer progression; however, the activity index may be better to investigate the real role of VEGF in the pathology we have considered.