Objectives This study was designed to correlate expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway markers i.e., E-cadherin and Vimentin with surgicopathological extent of EOC and to type the tumour using p53 immunohistochemistry staining.

Methods Women with malignant and benign epithelial ovarian tumours were studied. Sample size was calculated with 80% power and 5% level of significance ;22 cases (EOC) and 22 controls (benign ovarian tumour) were recruited. m-RNA and protein expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was done by real time PCR and IHC staining and p53 by IHC. Peritoneal extent of disease was calculated by peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) and tumour resection by completeness of cytoreductive score (CCS) and correlations derived.

Results In advanced EOC, positive correlation was found between PCI and CCS with correlation coefficient of 0.495, p-value < 0.0193. When PCI less than 10 (n=10), CCS0 was achieved. m-RNA expression of E-cadherin was 2.126 times downregulated and of vimentin 2.733 times upregulated in malignant vs. benign tumours. Protein expression of E-cadherin was high in benign vs. malignant EOC (p=0.387) and vimentin protein expression was overexpressed in EOC (p=0.007). No correlation was obtained between EMT markers and metastatic deposits, lymph node or bowel involvement. p53 was expressed in 90.9% (n=10) high grade serous carcinoma and none in low grade serous carcinoma.

Conclusions Expression of E-cadherin decreased and Vimentin increased in EOC which is in synchrony with EMT pathway, however larger studies are needed to derive an association between these markers and extent of disease.