OVARIAN CYST HAPTOGLOBIN AS A MARKER OF MALIGNANCY -PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Though there are many methods to determine the preoperative accuracy of the nature of an ovarian cyst none of them are accurate. Ultrasound, markers all have their own limitations. We did a study to find out the accuracy of ovarian cyst haptoglobin and the results were encouraging. Ovarian cyst haptoglobin can be done very quickly intraopertaievely and is a useful marker. We can warn the pathologist during frozen section the possibility of maliganany.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to find out whether ovarian cyst haptoglobin concentration can predict ovarian malignancy

Materials and methods: This was a prospective observational study. Patients with ovarian cysts undergoing surgery were selected for the study. During surgery 5 ml of the ovarian cyst fluid was aspirated and sent for estimation of haptoglobin. Haptoglobin levels were calculated using ELISA technique. A correlation between haptoglobin levels and malignancy was made.

Results: There were a total of 90 subjects. The haptoglobin values were significantly higher in malignant tumours (p<0.001). A ROC curve was constructed. At a value of ò 2.92mg/ml, haptoglobin had a sensitivity of 82.3%, specificity of 82.1%, positive predictive value of 51.8%, negative predictive value of 95.23% and diagnostic accuracy of 82.22%.

Conclusion: Ovarian cyst haptoglobin concentration can be a useful marker of ovarian malignancy

Keywords: Ovarian cyst; Haptoglobin; Ovarian malignancy