Is it possible to diagnose malignancy from fluid in cystic ovarian tumors?

abstract

Objective

p53 gene mutations are frequently identified in ovarian cancer tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wild type or mutated genomic DNA can be identified in ovarian cystic fluid specimens.

Study design

Forty-eight Japanese patients with cystic ovarian tumors (30 benign cysts, 8 borderline malignant tumors, and 10 cancers) were investigated. Cystic fluid and tumor tissue were obtained during surgery......

Conclusion

In cystic ovarian tumors, cystic fluid may provide informative material for molecular studies since it reflects the p53 status of tumor tissue in the cyst wall. This system might help to identify ovarian malignancy without resection of the tumor tissues.