| Abstract: | Cystic effusions from 12 epithelial tumors of the ovary and pooled normal ovarian tissue were studied by immunodiffusion for the presence of immunoglobulins G (IgG), M (IgM), and A (IgA) and free secretory component (FSC). In pooled normal ovarian tissue, IgG was the only immunoglobulin detected. In the neoplastic samples studied, IgG was detected in each of the 12 samples (100%), IgM was found in 10 of the 12 samples (83%), and IgA was detected in 11 of the 12 samples (92%). There was no discernible correlation between the immunoglobulins detected and the composition of the effusions or the pathologic classification of the tumors. FSC was detected in all mucinous samples studied, malignant as well as benign. This substance was not detected in any of the nonmucinous samples or in pooled normal ovarian tissue. The data suggest a correlation between the presence of FSC and the mucinous composition of the tumor effusion. Possible use of FSC assays in the study of mucinous tumors of the ovary is discussed. |
