Prolactin as a tumour marker in cancer of the cervix

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the possible usefulness of prolactin as a tumour marker in cancer of the cervix. Serum prolactin levels were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 105 women divided into malignant, pre-malignant and control groups. Elevated levels of prolactin were found in 42.9% of patients with malignant disease, 22.9% of controls and 14.2% of individuals with premalignant disease. The differences were not statistically significant. Although prolactin levels were found to be elevated in some patients with malignant disease of the cervix, further studies are needed to establish whether this is of clinical significance.