Peripheral venous concentrations of oestrogens in postmenopausal women with ovarian cancer

Serum concentrations of oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol were measured in 23 postmenopausal women, 12 with ovarian cancer and 11 with genital prolapse. Oestrone (387.6 pmol/l) and oestradiol (72.7 pmol/l) levels were higher in the cancer group than those in the control group (159.8 and 27.5 pmol/l respectively), while oestriol levels did not differ (434.5-270.8 pmol/l). The results indicate abnormal ovarian function in postmenopausal patients with ovarian cancer.