Glycodelin A (GdA) has been detected in ovarian carcinoma cells. It is suspected to be a marker of human ovarian cancer tissues. We investigated tissue of patients with an ovarian carcinoma in contrast to patients with benign and malignant ovaries. Used methods were IHC and PCR. In 81% of the control group the GdA-expression was negative. Of the ovarian carcinoma group only 52% showed correspondence between IHC and PCR. GdA is not specific enough for use as a TM.