Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore expression levels and significance of cyclooxy genase-2(COX-2)and phosphatase and tensin bomologue(PTEN)in epithelial ovarian tumors.MethodsSurgical specimens in paraffin of 48 cases of ovarian cancer,15 cases of borderline ovarian tumor,16 cases of benign ovarian tumor,and 10 cases of normal ovarian tissue were collected.The expression levels of COX-2 and PTEN were detected with immunohistochemical SP method.ResultsThe expression levels of COX-2 protein in ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumor were significantly higher than those in benign ovarian tumor and normal ovarian tissue(P<0.05).The expression of COX-2 protein was correlated with lymphatic metastasis(P<0.05),but not with histological grade,clinical stage,and histologic type of the tumor(P>0.05 for all).The expression levels of PTEN protein in ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumor were significantly lower than those in benign ovarian tumor and normal ovarian tissue(P<0.05).There were close correlations between PTEN protein expression and histological grade,clinical stage,and lymphatic metastasis.ConclusionThe upregulation of COX-2 expression and downregulation of PTEN expression are related to the progression of ovarian epithelial carcinoma.