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Updated: May 22, 2026
Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 18, 2016
Circulating microparticles in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors
A Rank1, S Liebhardt, J Zwirner
12nd Medical Clinic, Augsburg Clinic, Augsburg, Germany. andreas.rank@klinikum-augsburg.de
Background:
Microparticles are known to be increased in various malignancies. In this prospective study, microparticle levels were evaluated in patients with benign and malignant ovarian lesions.
Patients And Methods:
Microparticles from platelets/megakaryocytes, activated platelets and endothelial cells, tissue factor exposing microparticles and D-dimer values were examined in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian lesions before surgery, and were correlated with tumor histology.
Results:
Higher counts of CD63-positive microparticles were detected in patients with ovarian cancer [mean=276×10(6) (range: 64-948)/l; n=12] as compared to patients with benign ovarian tumors [146×10(6) (45-390)/l; n=21; p=0.014]. D-dimer values were also increased in patients with cancer [860 (180-4500) ng/l versus 280 (170-2720) ng/l; p=0.001].
Conclusion:
Elevated levels of CD63-positive microparticles and D-dimer reflect the procoagulant phenotype of these patients. However, for the discrimination between benign and malignant ovarian tumors, measuring preoperative levels of microparticles does not seem to be helpful.
Insights
Elevated CD63-positive microparticles and D-dimer levels were observed in ovarian cancer patients. However, preoperative microparticle levels are not helpful for distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microparticles are elevated in various cancers.
- This study investigated microparticle levels in patients with benign and malignant ovarian lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microparticle levels in patients with ovarian lesions.
- To correlate microparticle levels with tumor histology.
Main Methods:
- Examined microparticles from platelets/megakaryocytes, activated platelets, endothelial cells, and tissue factor-exposing microparticles.
- Measured D-dimer values in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian lesions before surgery.
- Correlated findings with tumor histology.
Main Results:
- Higher counts of CD63-positive microparticles were found in ovarian cancer patients (mean=276×10^6/l) compared to benign ovarian tumors (mean=146×10^6/l; p=0.014).
- D-dimer values were also increased in cancer patients (860 ng/l) versus benign cases (280 ng/l; p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated CD63-positive microparticles and D-dimer indicate a procoagulant phenotype in ovarian cancer patients.
- Preoperative microparticle levels are not a reliable indicator for discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
