Evaluation of serum haptoglobin levels in patients with adnexal masses

Over a four-year period, serum haptoglobin was measured in 152 patients with adnexal masses in an attempt to discriminate between benign and malignant disease. When serum haptoglobin exceeded 150 mg/dl, malignancy could be identified with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 84%. While the predictive value of a positive test is only 66%, the predictive value of a negative test is 93%, and this inexpensive test may be clinically useful. Stage, grade, and size of tumor did not correlate with serum haptoglobin levels.