Circulating Microparticles in Patients with Benign and Malignant Ovarian Tumors

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-dinier 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=276x10(6) (range: 64-948)/l; n=12] as compared to patients with benign ovarian tumors [146x10(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