Evaluation of SLPI protein expression in the tissues used for microarray analysis showed cytoplasmic protein expression in epithelial cells in over 80% of LMP and invasive tumors compared with detectable expression in only one third of normal ovaries and benign tumors (Fisher's Exact test, p < 0.05 across all tissues; Table 5, Fig. 2; Additional file 6 shows representative images of tissues). Here, SLPI is linked to benign neoplasm.