RESUMO
An antibody to human milk fat globule-2 (HMFG-2) antigen was investigated to assess its value in detecting tumors in pleural, pericardial and peritoneal fluids. One hundred forty consecutive fluids were evaluated using the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) technique. Conventional cytology and HMFG-2-stained smears were compared using the former as the standard for tumor detection. Discrepant results were found in 15 specimens (8 false negatives and 7 false positives). Causes for discrepancy between the methods included lack of HMFG-2 antigen on tumor cells, random sampling error and endometrial cells ectopically located in the pelvic cavity or introduced during uterine instrumentation. We conclude staining for HMFG-2 may be a useful adjuvant technique for the detection of rare tumor cells in body fluids provided there is a high index of suspicion of metastasis from an HMFG-2-positive primary neoplasm.