Macrophage colony-stimulating factor as a marker for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary

We assessed the usefulness of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as a serum marker for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary. Serum levels of M-CSF were measured in 49 patients with malignant germ cell tumors and in 64 patients with mature benign cystic teratoma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CA125 was measured by radioimmunoassay. The serum level of M-CSF was above normal (>1056 U/ml) in 44 (90%) of 49 patients with malignant germ cell tumors; the CA125 level was above the cutoff value (35 U/ml) in 34 patients (69%) (P < 0.05). The serum level of M-CSF was elevated in 20 (87%) of 23 patients with stage I disease and in all 16 patients with dysgerminoma. Only 7 (11%) of 64 patients with mature benign cystic teratoma had elevated levels of M-CSF. These results suggest that M-CSF is highly sensitive and specific for malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, especially for dysgerminoma.