Peritoneal sarcoidosis and elevated CA 125

Article Abstract:

Sarcoidosis is a disease involving inflammation and numerous granulomatous lesions. It is most common in the lungs, but it can occur almost anywhere in the body. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. The case report of a 65-year-old woman who developed sarcoidosis in the peritoneum (the membranes that form the inner lining of the abdomen) is presented. The patient developed symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, cough, and pain in the abdomen. An ultrasound examination revealed the presence of a cyst on the left ovary. A blood sample was tested for CA 125 (a protein that increases in concentration in patients with ovarian cancer), and the amount of CA 125 was found to be higher than normal. During surgery to remove the cyst, it was discovered that the patient had small white nodules or bumps covering the diaphragm, stomach and intestines. The appearance was of cancer that had spread to several different tissues. The cyst and nodules were removed and examined, but none were cancerous. Based on these findings it is suggested that the amount of CA 125 in the blood can increase when benign or malignant diseases cause inflammation in the peritoneum. Patients who have sarcoidosis and have higher than normal levels of CA 125 may have sarcoidosis in the peritoneum. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sarcoidosis

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Analysis of antigen expression at multiple tumor sites in epithelial ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

One important area of cancer research focuses on the development of monoclonal antibodies (molecules directed specifically against a particular antigen) that could target cancer cells and kill them. However, such a strategy is only effective if the targets within a patient are identical; otherwise, antibodies developed to bind to one malignant site will not be able to bind to others. To evaluate the antigenic variability in tumors of ovarian cancer patients, 12 patients were studied. Tumor specimens were obtained from three different locations in five women, from two locations in seven, and from ascites (abdominal fluid) in two women, for a total of 31 specimens. The tissue was tested for its reactivity to a panel of 18 antibodies, containing both cell-surface and blood group markers (depending on whether the antibody binds to cell-surface proteins or those that are typical of blood groups). Results showed almost no antigenic variability for a given patient between primary tumor site and sites of metastasis (cancer spread) for either type of marker. A discussion is presented of the reactivities of different antibodies. This lack of antigenic variation is encouraging for developing treatments using monoclonal antibodies against ovarian cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Ovarian cancer, Monoclonal antibodies

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Second-look laparotomy in endodermal sinus tumor: a report of two patients with normal levels of alpha-fetoprotein and residual tumor at reexploration

Article Abstract:

The controversial use of laparotomy, a surgical incision through the abdomen, to re-examine ovaries of patients with a rare ovarian tumor, endodermal sinus tumor, is reviewed. Normal levels of alpha-fetoprotein, a blood protein, were restored in two women with the rare tumors after they had undergone chemotherapy, which indicated that the tumors had been successfully treated. However, during a second-look laparotomy, endodermal sinus tumor cells were again detected. Because the disease is rare, re-examination by laparotomy is recommended for patients who have undergone chemotherapy to treat ovarian endodermal sinus tumors.

Evaluation, Measurement, Surgery, Abdomen, Laparotomy, Ovarian tumors, Endoscopic surgery, Alpha fetoproteins

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