Significance of serum leucine aminopeptidase in tumours of female genital tract.

ABSTRACT

Serum leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) was estimated in 57 female patients with tumours of the genital tract and compared with 50 age-matched controls. Serum LAP was increased in leiomyomas (p less than 0.01) but significant rise was seen in leiomyosarcomas and endometrial carcinoma of the uterus (p less than 0.001). No increase in serum LAP level, above mean control value was observed in carcinoma of cervix. LAP levels were also increased in cystadenomas of the ovary (p less than 0.01) and highly significant increase, noted in cystadenocarcinomas and dysgerminoma stage III (p less than 0.001). However, no increase of enzyme activity was observed in poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma of the ovary. The serum enzyme level was higher in cystadenocarcinomas as compared to solid ovarian carcinomas in the same clinical stage.