title: Menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in healthy women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  CA 72-4 is not approved as a tumor marker but has been used as an adjunct marker in gynecological practice. The study aims to evaluate the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in a population of healthy women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects were included in the cross-sectional study designed in the University Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic. Venous blood samples from each participant were collected twice: first at the follicular phase (2nd-5th days of the menstrual cycle) for FSH, estradiol, CA 125, CA 72-4 and the other at the luteal phase (21st-24th days of the menstrual cycle) for progesterone, CA 125 and CA 72-4 levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CA 72-4 values were similar in follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects (1.15U/mL (0.2-5.4) vs 1.15 U/mL (0.56-6.3); p=0.326 respectively). Ovulatory or smoking status did not have an effect on CA 72-4 values (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first clinical study about the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 revealed that the menstrual cycle does not have a significant impact on CA 72-4 values and that it can be measured at any time during the menstrual period.
authors.affiliation: Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: asliyarci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aslı
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yarcı Gursoy
authors.affiliation: Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiseli
authors.affiliation: Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Biochemistry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.affiliation: Beypazarı State Hospital, Biochemistry Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rabia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Şeker
authors.affiliation: Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gamze Sinem
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Caglar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000378:metabolism*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
keywords: CA 72-4; Menstrual cycle; Variability