Hyperamylasemia in a case of ovarian cancer

Abstract

An ovarian cancer with hyperamylasemia is reported. Amylase activity in the patients serum, cyst and urine was elevated. The amylase in these body fluids showed characteristic isozyme patterns. A homogenate obtained from tumor which displayed a feature of serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma showed 2 bands of salivary type, whereas the other homogenate from the tissue which showed cacinoma solidum simplex had only one band of the type. The amylase activity in the serum and urine markedly decreased after resection of the tumor. Kidney clearance of amylase was determined to be normal. Existence of macroamylasemia was excluded by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration.