Cytology of human ovarian surface epithelial brushings

• Published in: Cancer 2004-02, Vol.102 (1), p.1-10
• Main Authors: Nicosia, Santo V., Wilbanks, George D., Saunders, Beatriz, Mayer, James, Cardosi, Richard J., Kruk, Patricia A., Cheng, Jin, Bai, Wenlong, Coppola, Domenico, Fiorica, James
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle; cell yield; Cohort Studies; Cytodiagnosis; cytology; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Female; human ovarian surface epithelium; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Laparoscopy; Laparotomy; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - pathology; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial - surgery; nucleic acid/protein content; ovarian brushings; Ovarian Diseases - pathology; Ovarian Diseases - surgery; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Ovarian Neoplasms - surgery; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumors
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.20001

BACKGROUND The human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) is the putative source of ovarian epithelial cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy that affects women in the United States. The current study was designed to provide a database of normal HOSE cell features for diagnostic and research applications. METHODS HOSE was harvested from 42 women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for benign gynecologic disorders, infertility problems, or pregnancy. Of the 42 women, 12 were postovulatory and 20 were receiving hormonal regimens. Cells were harvested with a sterile brush inserted through a laparoscopic port or with a sterile cell scraper at laparotomy. RESULTS Two HOSE populations were identified, ranging in size from 8 to 10 μm and from 15 to 20 μm, respectively. The cells measuring 15–20 μm exhibited slight anisonucleosis, more prominent nucleoli, fine cytoplasmic metachromasia, and an overall reparative or squamoid morphology. Cells were single or arranged in small clusters, sheets, or papillae. They coexpressed cytokeratin and vimentin but did not overexpress p53. Cellularity and proliferation (up to 3.2% ± 0.8) were higher and papillae more frequent in postovulatory and cyst‐bearing ovaries, including polycystic ovaries, suggesting underlying ovarian or hormonal influences. Representative HOSE brushings yielded a mean of 23,133 cells per patient (range, 4250–64,500 cells), equivalent to an estimated 0.58, 0.46, and 0.14 μg of nuclear protein, cell RNA, and nuclear DNA, respectively. Within 7–10 days of explantation, HOSE cells formed confluent monolayers with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural epithelial features. CONCLUSIONS The current study defined baseline features of HOSE cells important to pathologists and clinicians evaluating women at risk for ovarian epithelial cancer and to researchers investigating the pathobiology of this aggressive gynecologic malignancy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2004;102:1–10. © 2003 American Cancer Society. The current study defined baseline features of human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) cells. The authors demonstrated that HOSE cells are important to pathologists and clinicians evaluating women at risk for ovarian epithelial cancer and to researchers investigating the pathobiology of this aggressive gynecologic malignancy.