The mucinous-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA), a new tumour marker, was dosed in 150 serous effusions. The levels of MCA were measured by means of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Ninety-seven were pleural effusions, 49 were peritoneal effusions and 4 were pericardial effusions. Thirty-five effusions were caused by breast carcinoma, 19 by ovarian carcinoma, 17 by pulmonary carcinoma, 19 by various cancers, while 60 effusions turned out to be of non-neoplastic origin. The results were considered in comparison with the cytologic examination, and the data obtained were also elaborated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and test efficiency. The EIA showed satisfactory statistical parameters principally regarding ovarian metastatic cancer. On the other hand, less satisfactory results were extrapolated on breast and lung cancers. Even if further studies are necessary, for example to compare MCA with other seric tumour markers, this experience suggests that MCA could be a satisfactory tumour marker in the diagnosis of metastatic ovarian effusions.
The authors used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the cells obtained from serous effusions of patients affected with a neoplasm or benign disease. Cellular morphology was studied in non-neoplastic effusions to distinguish benign cells from cancer cells with which they are almost always suspended in malignant effusions. Tumor cells differ in some features such as shape, size, arrangement and especially in surface structures (microvilli), the latter being very noticeable when using this method. The investigation enabled us to note several changes in the cell surface that could reflect particular activities of the cells themselves. For this reason we believe that the technique may be considered very useful to gain knowledge of cellular morphology. However, it cannot be considered suitable for making routine diagnostic conclusions.
In the present study the authors have examined 100 breast nodules by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) using the avidin-biotin complex method of immunoperoxidase staining. The monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) employed, B 6.2 and B 72.3, recognize two distinct molecules expressed by transformed breast epithelium. The authors have compared this immunocytochemical reaction with the conventional cytology and the histological examination as well. The data of the MAbs alone or in combination have been evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and test efficiency. The results show that tumor cells are strongly reactive with the MAbs. So the authors believe that this method in conjunction with conventional cytology may be useful in the diagnosis of breast tumor, expecially in doubtful FNAC.
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