[Determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid for the differential diagnosis of cystic ovarian tumors].

The concentrations of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) were determined in the fluid of cystic ovarian tumors and in the blood serum from a total of 95 patients. The estimation of NANA was based on the method of Svennerholm. It was found that the mean content of NANA in the cystic fluid is more than 3.0 mmol/l in serous and more than 5.5 mmol/l in mucinous malignant ovarian tumors. The mean value of NANA in the serum of patients is mostly more than 3.5 mmol/l if there is an ovarian cancer. The estimation of NANA is useful for the preoperative diagnosis of cystic ovarian tumors.