Serum CA-125 as a guideline for the timing of a second-look operation and second-line treatment in ovarian cancer.
In the assessment of response to treatment of ovarian cancer patients, clinical examination is unreliable in detecting small tumor masses. The second-look laparotomy is therefore an accepted procedure. The optimal timing of second-look laparotomy, however, is uncertain. We therefore examined the usefulness of serial serum CA-125 estimations in the timing of second-look laparotomies in 33 patients suffering from ovarian cancer. Increasing CA-125 concentrations were always followed by relapses or progressive disease, whereas decreasing serum concentrations indicated response to treatment. In future we propose to perform second-look laparotomies when CA-125 levels have declined to a steady plateau and to start a secondary treatment when CA-125 levels start to rise again.
Jäger
W
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Erlangen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Adam
R
R
Wildt
L
L
Lang
N
N
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000939:Epitopes