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Study of Serum YKL-40 in Patients with Postmenopausal Bleeding and Thickened Endometrium

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Indian Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein that has been described as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for a number of cancers including epithelial ovarian cancer. In this study, we examined the frequency of its serum elevation in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and thickened endometrium for its possible use in assessment of endometrial pathologies as atypical hyperplasia and malignancy.

Methods

Preoperative serum levels of YKL-40 were evaluated by ELISA for all endometrial cancer, atypical hyperplasia patients recruited from El Shatby Maternity University Hospital, Gynecological Oncology specialized in between the years 2015 and 2017 and compared to a cohort of normal individuals. YKL-40 value of 39 ng/mL has previously been determined to represent the upper limit of normal. YKL-40 values were correlated with clinical characteristics, including tumor grade, histology, clinical stage, and risk groups.

Results

YKL-40 was elevated (> 39 ng/mL) in 31 endometrial cancer patients compared to 31 atypical hyperplasia patients and 31 normal control cases. Mean preoperative YKL-40 value was 105.89 ± 96.99 ng/mL for endometrial cancer patients compared with 51.56 ± 43.47 ng/mL for atypical hyperplasia patients (P < 0.001*) and compared with 29.09 ± 10.54 ng/mL for normal healthy subjects (P < 0.001*). There was statistically significant association of YKL-40 with tumor grade, histological result, stage, and risk group.

Conclusion

Preoperative serum YKL-40 is frequently elevated and may represent a novel marker for the detection of endometrial cancer and the identification of high-risk subsets of patients with worse clinical outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gyne-Oncology Specialized Unit., Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Shatby Maternity University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, El Geish st, Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt

    S. S. El-Tawab, A. M. Nagati & N. M. Al-Shinnawy

  2. Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    D. A. El Neily

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  1. S. S. El-Tawab
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  2. A. M. Nagati
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  3. D. A. El Neily
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  4. N. M. Al-Shinnawy
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Correspondence to S. S. El-Tawab.

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El-Tawab, S.S., Nagati, A.M., El Neily, D.A. et al. Study of Serum YKL-40 in Patients with Postmenopausal Bleeding and Thickened Endometrium. Indian J Gynecol Oncolog 16, 53 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-018-0224-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-018-0224-7

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