Hyperamylasemia in ovarian tumours - serum amylase as a marker for ovarian cancers (?)

Background : Ovarian cancer is uncontrolled growth of abnormal ovarian cells. Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women,since no signs and symptoms are manifested at the early stage of the disease and the disease is diagnosed only in advanced stage. There is a strong need for a tumour marker for early diagnosis and to monitor the response of ovarian cancer patients to therapy Objective : To estimate serum amylase levels in benign, malignant ovarian tumour and ovarian cyst. Materials and Methods : Twenty five women with diagnosed ovarian cancer, twenty five benign ovarian tumor and twenty five ovarian cyst patients and 25 normal healthy women were selected for the study. Serum amylase activity is estimated by commercially available kit called CNPG3 reagent set. Result : The serum amylase levels were significantly elevated (p< 0.001) in patients suffering from malignant ovarian tumours when compared to control. Conclusion : We conclude that estimation of serum amylase can be used as marker in the diagnosis and follow up cases of ovarian cancer patients.