[Serum ribonuclease in patients with malignant tumor of the ovary]

The clinical significance of serum ribonuclease (RNase) was studied in patients with malignant tumor of the ovary, and the result was compared with serum sialic acid (SA). Serum RNase and SA level were determined in 190 women consisting of 35 normal women, 34 patients with ovarian cancer, 39 patients with other malignant gynecological tumors, 38 ovarian cancer patients with clinical remission after treatment and 44 patients with benign gynecological tumor. The sensitivity of serum RNase was 82.4% in the diagnosis of malignant tumor of the ovary. Serum RNase was positive in 42.9% of patients with minimal residual tumor and 88.9% those with residual tumors greater than 2 cm in diameter. Serum RNase assay is a simple, rapid and reliable method useful in monitoring the course of disease.