Serum levels of CA 125 and histological findings at second-look laparotomy in ovarian carcinoma.
In a prospective study, the serum levels of CA 125 were estimated at regular intervals in 139 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Seventy-two of 78 patients with a second-look laparotomy had elevated CA 125 levels initially. The main aim of our investigation was the correlation of CA 125 levels with the histological findings at second-look laparotomy. A total of 26 patients were free from tumor. In each case CA 125 lay within the normal range. From the 46 patients where residual tumor was found, CA 125 levels were elevated in 23 cases, so that in 23 women with residual tumor, false negative levels were found. There were no false positive CA 125 levels. In all women with raised tumor marker levels at the time of the second-look laparotomy, tumor was found despite the often negative clinical or technical preoperative screening. A negative tumor marker at the time of the second look does not exclude residual tumor. For histological proof of complete remission, a second-look operation is imperative. If the CA 125 level is raised, the relevance of the planned second-look laparotomy is open to discussion.
Meier
W
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, West Germany.
Stieber
P
P
Eiermann
W
W
Schneider
A
A
Fateh-Moghadam
A
A
Hepp
H
H
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate