Tumor markers in endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to determine the concentrations of CA 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, carcioembryogenic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-2 microglobulin (B2MG) in patients with pelvic endometriosis.


METHODS
Fifty women were divided into two groups: group A (control) had no endometriosis or other diseases, and group B consisted of 35 women with pelvic endometriosis. All women were submitted to serum determination of CA 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, CEA, AFP and B2MG. Samples were collected during the menstrual cycle and 1 week later.


RESULTS
Mean CA 125 concentrations were altered in patients with endometriosis, but all 50 patients studied presented normal CEA, AFP and B2MG concentrations. Small variations detected in CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 had no statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
CA 125 is the only important marker in the diagnosis of stages III/IV of endometriosis, especially when blood samples for its determination are obtained during the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle.
Abrão
M S
MS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Brazil. msabrao@ibm.net
Podgaec
S
S
Pinotti
J A
JA
de Oliveira
R M
RM
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010388:Pelvis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen