title: Increased serum CA-125 levels in patients with lung cancer post thoracotomy.
abstract: Cancer antigen (CA)-125 is a useful tumor marker for the follow up of ovarian and lung cancer. It is a sensitive, but not specific, tumor marker. Increased serum CA-125 levels have already been described in a number of benign and malignant diseases. We report two cases of increased serum CA-125 levels status post thoracotomy for resection of an early stage lung tumor that regressed spontaneously 3 and 8 months following surgery. Serum CA-125 levels may increase after thoracotomy, unrelated to tumor recurrence. Therefore, CA-125 levels obtained postoperatively should be interpreted with caution.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, ABC Foundation School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Geila Ribeiro
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Nuñez
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Auro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Giglio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013908:Thoracotomy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen