Plasminogen activators in ovarian tumours.

Ovarian tumours obtained at laparotomy were histochemically examined for their local fibrinolytic activity, and simultaneous fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were determined in the serum. The fibrinolytic activity was confined mainly to vessels of both malignant and benign tumours. A very close correlation was demonstrated between the fibrinolytic activity and the vascularity of the sections. FDP were found in the serum in 13 of 14 patients with malignant tumours, but in none with benign tumours. The difference in occurrence of FDP in patients with malignant and benign tumours might be due to the invasive growth of the former with the entrance of thromboplastic substances, fibrinolytic activators or locally formed FDP into the bloodstream.