Testosterone, SHBG and albumin in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Plasma testosterone, unbound testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and albumin were studied in women with 'non-endocrine' ovarian carcinoma prior to and during chemotherapy. Fifty-one postmenopausal or oophorectomized women with cancer of the ovary were studied. The histologic types were IC, IIC, IIIC, V and FIGO stages I-IV. Tumor volumes were evaluated once a month using bimanual recto-vaginal palpation under anesthesia. Blood samples were drawn for testosterone radio-immunoassay, SHBG and albumin analysis on four occasions at monthly intervals. Plasma levels were compared with a control group of postmenopausal women, a control group of fertile women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, and finally a control group of postmenopausal women with non-gynecologic disseminated malignant disease. Testosterone concentrations were found to be higher in women with carcinoma of the ovary than in postmenopausal controls and showed a relationship to tumor volume. Histologic type and FIGO stage were found to be less closely related to plasma testosterone concentration. No significant change was found in the unbound testosterone fraction. SHBG concentrations were elevated in the Large-tumor group. Albumin concentrations were decreased in the Large-tumor group, advanced tumor stage group and in the control group with non-gynecologic disseminated malignant disease.