title: Significance of postoperative CA-125 decline after cytoreductive surgery in stage IIIC/IV ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the decline in serum CA-125 levels following primary cytoreductive surgery prior to starting adjuvant chemotherapy has a prognostic value in patients with stage IIIC/IV ovarian carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with stage IIIC/IV ovarian carcinoma who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy from 1994 to 2007. Demographic, pathologic, treatment, and survival data were collected. Patients were included if serum CA-125 levels were drawn preoperatively and within one week prior to their first chemotherapy cycle, and whose postoperative CA-125 level declined. Percentage decline was calculated, and was compared with standard statistical tests in groups by 25% declination intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 112 stage IIIC/IV patients, 81 (72.3%) met the above inclusion criteria. The median time from surgery to postoperative CA-125 sampling was 16 days (range: 7-42). A >/=75% decline was associated with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 25 months (95% CI=0-63). This was significantly longer when compared with each of the other 25% interval groups. After multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors included a >/=75% decline in CA-125 levels after surgery and the presence of residual tumor. Age, grade, histology, and preoperative CA-125 levels were not statistically significant factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A >/=75% decline in serum CA-125 serum levels from primary cytoreductive surgery to the start of adjuvant chemotherapy has independent prognostic value for PFS in patients with stage IIIC/IV ovarian carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jong-Hyuck
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Mi-Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.forename: Woo Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Suk-Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ki-Hong
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hee-Sug
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ryu