[Histochemical study on lectin binding in surface epithelial tumor of the ovary]

The lectin binding to cells of inclusion cyst and surface epithelial tumor of the ovary was studied by lectin histochemistry. The RCA-1 only bound to inclusion cyst. All lectins bound to serous cystadenoma but PNA UEA-1, WGA and RCA-1 bound to mucinous cystadenoma. The binding of PNA was identified in association with serous cystadenocarcinoma in 5 of 7 cases (71.4%) and with clear cell adenocarcinoma in 5 of 5 cases (100%). The binding of UEA-1 was identified in association with endometrioid adenocarcinoma in 4 of 5 cases (80%) and with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in 3 of 5 cases (60%). The binding of SBA was identified in association with clear differentiation in 6 of 7 cases (85.7%), with moderate differentiation in 8 of 12 cases (66.7%) and with poor differentiation in 0 of 3 cases (0%). The binding of DBA was identified in association with clear differentiation in 5 of 7 cases (71.4%), with moderate differentiation 5 of 12 cases (41.7%), and with poor differentiation in 0 of 3 cases (0%). The PNA and UEA-1 had shown relative correlation with the histological type. The intensity of SBA and DBA binding was greater in clear differentiation than in poor differentiation. There was close correlation between SBA and DBA binding patterns and histological grading. The results of this study suggested that the lectin histochemical study was useful in detecting the histological type and grade. The results were also consistent with studies demonstrating a change in cellular carbohydrate composition following malignant transformation.