Increased microvessel density in mucinous compared with malignant serous and benign tumours of the ovary

Microvessel density of benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumours was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies to the endothelial cell markers CD31, CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen. Microvessel density was compared in tumours of different histological subtype, stage and patient outcome. CD31-immunostained sections were examined and regions of high and average microvessel density were selected. Identical regions were located on CD34- and factor VIII-related antigen-immunostained serial sections and microvessel counts obtained and converted to vessels mm(-2). CD31 and CD34 immunostaining revealed increased microvessel density in both the high and average vessel density regions of mucinous (222.4 +/- 24.8; 79.9 +/- 8.5) compared with serous (105.4 +/- 20.7; 33.3 +/- 6.8) and benign (84.4 +/- 19.4; 20.4 +/- 4.4) tumours (P 0.05). Reduced factor VIII-related antigen compared with CD31 and CD34 immunostaining was observed in both borderline and malignant mucinous and serous tumours (P 0.05). Our results contradict the putative association between increased microvessel density and poor prognosis and suggest that the level and control of angiogenesis may differ between ovarian tumour types

Combined inhibin and CA125 assays in the detection of ovarian cancer

Background: The reproductive hormone inhibin has been used as a diagnostic marker of ovarian mucinous and granulosa cell cancers. The aims of this study were to develop a new inhibin immunofluorometric assay (alpha C IFMA) to replace an inhibin RIA as a diagnostic marker of these ovarian canters and to assess whether the alpha C IFMA in combination with CA125, which detects serous cancers, leads to an improved biochemical diagnosis of all ovarian cancers