Prolonged symptom-free survival in a patient with persistent primary peritoneal carcinoma and a rising CA-125: a note of caution.
BACKGROUND
The optimal management of patients with ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinomas who experience an elevation of the serum CA-125 antigen level following the completion of therapy, and who remain without other clinical evidence of recurrent/progressive disease, remains controversial.


METHODS
A patient with primary peritoneal carcinoma cared for in the Gynecologic Cancer Program of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation has experienced prolonged symptom-free survival (>4 years) after a documented tripling of her persistently elevated postchemotherapy serum CA-125 without the reinstitution of cytotoxic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case emphasizes that caution must be exercised when electing to initiate second-line treatment solely on the basis of an abnormal tumor antigen level.
Markman
M
M
Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018283:Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel