Epidermal growth-factor receptor expression in malignant ovary, benign ovarian-tumors and normal ovary - a comparison

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was assayed and compared in malignant ovaries, benign ovarian tumours and normal ovaries. The EGFR was present in 39.7% of malignant ovaries, 13.3% of benign ovarian tumours and in 15.4% of normal ovaries. In the malignant group 36 samples had a low affinity component, 27 had a high affinity component and 16 had both high and low affinity components. The benign ovarian group had 1 high affinity and 3 low affinity components while the normal ovaries had 3 high affinity and 5 low affinity components. The sensitivity of the EGFR assay was 39.7% and the specificity 85.4%.