title: Predictive value of CA 125 antigen levels in second-look procedures for ovarian cancer.
abstract: Serum CA 125 levels were evaluated in 44 patients undergoing 56 second-look or subsequent laparoscopies (43) and laparotomies (13) for ovarian cancer. In each patient studied, a previous CA 125 level had been greater than or equal to 35 U/ml. Clinical or radiologic evidence of tumor was absent in all patients at the time of surgical evaluation. CA 125 levels were less than 35 U/ml in 36 cases (64%); 14 patients were free of tumor, while 22 were found to have tumor at surgery. CA 125 levels were greater than or equal to 35 U/ml in 20 cases; 18 had tumor at surgery, one has had recurrence of tumor, and the other remains clinically free of tumor at 3 months. A CA 125 level less than 35 U/ml was not predictive of the presence of intraperitoneal tumor; however, when tumor was present in this group of patients, the largest tumor mass did not exceed 1 cm. In contrast, a CA 125 level greater than or equal to 35 U/ml was a strong predictor of the presence of intraperitoneal tumor or future recurrence. These data suggest that second-look procedures may not be required in the select group of patients with CA 125 levels greater than or equal to 35 U/ml.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Niloff
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bast
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Schaetzl
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000473:pathology; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate