PLASMA PROGESTERONE AND ANDROSTENEDIONE IN RELATION TO CHANGES IN TUMOR VOLUME AND RECURRENCE IN WOMEN WITH OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

The concentrations of plasma progesterone and androstenedione were investigated in 13 postmenopausal women with malignant ovarian tumors who showed no signs of other malignant or endocrine disease. FIGO stages III and IV were represented and histological types were mainly Ic and V. Tumor volumes were generally evaluated once a month using bimanual rectovaginal palpation under anesthesia. Blood samples were drawn for progesterone and androstenedione radioimmunoassay at every admittance to hospital. In 12 of the 13 patients the plasma levels of progesterone and in 10 the plasma levels of androstenedione decreased in parallel with the reduction in tumor volume and increased again when recurrence occurred. The plasma levels at diagnosis of recurrence of tumor and the levels when the largest tumor volume was demonstrated were compared to the preceding values and found to be significantly higher. In order to evaluate if progesterone or androstenedione could predict recurrence of tumor, plasma levels at certain intervals before recurrence were compared to the preceding value. Significant rise was considered to have occurred when plasma concentration had risen to twice the coefficient of variation of the assay above the previous value and continued to rise. Plasma progesterone indicated recurrence of tumor in 8 cases at least 1 month before recurrence was palpable. Plasma concentration of androstenedione was found to be useful in predicting recurrence in 5 cases 1 month or more before recurrence was palpable. A group of postmenopausal women with disseminated malignant disease of nongenital type was compared to the control groups. The progesterone concentration was, however, not differed from the controls.