Cyst fluid CA 125 levels in ovarian epithelial neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of using cyst fluid CA 125 levels to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian cystic neoplasms.


METHODS
CA 125 levels were measured in ovarian cyst fluid and in serum obtained at surgery in 44 women with ovarian cystic tumors of epithelial origin (25 benign, 12 malignant, and seven borderline).


RESULTS
The median cyst fluid CA 125 level in malignant neoplasms (671 U/mL) was higher than in benign tumors (175 U/mL), and 86% of the malignant tumors contained levels higher than 100 U/mL in the cyst fluid, compared with only 62% of the benign tumors. However, these differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyst fluid levels of CA 125 cannot be used to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian cysts of epithelial origin.
Menczer
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Ben-Baruch
G
G
Moran
O
O
Lipitz
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor