title: Evaluation of serum CA 125 levels in the monitoring of ovarian cancer.
abstract: Serum CA 125 levels were evaluated in 227 patients with ovarian cancer. CA 125 levels were elevated in 86% of the patients. All histologic types, including mucinous tumors, were associated with raised CA 125 levels. There was a positive correlation with tumor burden and an inverse correlation with degree of differentiation. In patients undergoing radical operation an elevated CA 125 level was a bad prognostic index. Serial CA 125 measurements were assessable in 112 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Rising or falling levels correlated with disease in 92% of the cases. The CA 125 level increased before clinical progression with a median lead time of 3 months. Only patients who showed objective response to chemotherapy had a decrease in antigen levels of greater than or equal to 30% 4 weeks after the first course of chemotherapy and a normalization of CA 125 levels 3 months after initiation of chemotherapy. Rising levels were always associated with progression. These data suggest that CA 125 may aid in early identification of nonresponders. However, a normal CA 125 level does not exclude the presence of disease.
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D000939:Epitopes