Elevated CA 125 and ascites: not always malignancy.
BACKGROUND
We present two clinical cases from a single institution where a final diagnosis of cardiac failure was made following the initial finding of ascites and an elevated CA 125 level. In both cases gynaecological malignancy was initially suspected.


METHODS
Following negative confirmatory tests for gynaecological malignancy, echocardiography was undertaken.


RESULTS
Patient 1 had severe right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. Patient 2 had biventricular dysfunction with pulmonary hypertension. Both patients responded to standard therapy for heart failure, including loop diuretics.
Lockhart
C J
CJ
Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland. clockhart01@qub.ac.uk
McVeigh
G E
GE
Harbinson
M T
MT
D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D004232:Diuretics