Difference in Caspase-3 Expression among Benign, Borderline and Malignant Epithelial Type of Ovarian Tumor

Background Ovarian tumor is a worldwide problem and mortality due to ovaria tumor is the highest among gynaecologic malignant tumors. Epithelial type are the most common ovarian tumor. The distribution of benign ovarian epithelial tumors, borderline and malignant causes a variety of tumor characteristics that lead to difficulties in its management. One of the genes that play a role in ovarian tumors is caspase-3, which is a protease execution DNA fragmentation that malfunctioning, causing no apoptosis. The malfunction results in slowed ovarian cell death process and uncontrolled proliferation of ovarian cells that cause carcinogenesis. Research purposes To know the differences of caspase-3 expression in benign, borderline and epithelial type malignant ovarian tumor. Research methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from 40 paraffin block samples of benign, borderline and malignant type of epithelial ovarian tumor. Caspase-3 expression was measured using immunohistochemical staining. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square test. Results We found a significant difference in caspase-3 expression among benign, borderline and malignant epithelial ovarian tumor (p=0.008), a significant difference between benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumor (p = 0, 004). We did not find a significant differences of caspase-3 expression between benign and borderline (p = 0, 304) as well as between malignant and borderline epithelial type ovarian tumors (p = 0, 215). Conclusion Caspase-3 expression was higher in benign epithelial type ovarian tumor and lower in borderline and malignant epithelial type of ovarian tumor.