Open AccessEvaluation of a Breast Cyst Fluid Protein Detectable in the Plasma of Breast Carcinoma Patients
Author(s) -
Darrow E. Haagensen,
Gwen Mazoujian,
Walter D. Holder,
Sven J. Kister,
Samuel A. Wells
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-197703000-00005
Subject(s) - medicine , breast carcinoma , carcinoma , cyst , breast cancer , oncology , pathology , cancer
A radioimmunoassay has been developed for one of the major proteins isolated from human breast cyst fluid. Immunologically this protein is identical to a protein present in both human milk and saliva. Ninety-two normal women had plasma levels of this protein below 100 ng/ml (range 7-81 ng/ml; mean 31 ng/ml), and 85% had plasma levels below 50 ng/ml. More than one-half of the women with active gross cystic disease of the breast had plasma levels above 50 ng/ml. None of these women, however, had plasma levels above 150 ng/ml. A significant percentage of women with advanced breast carcinoma have been found to have plasma concentrations of this protein greater than 150 ng/ml.