[The role of tumor marker CA 125 in the treatment of ovarian cancer]

Abstract

Among the gynaecological malignancies in Denmark, ovarian cancer still has the highest mortality. At diagnosis, the majority of the patients show disseminated diseases and are treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. At the conclusion of treatment and at later control examinations, the patients are evaluated by pelvic examination, ultrasound scans, CT-scanning, determination of the tumor-marker CA 125 and explorative laparotomy ("second look operation"). Based on studies of the literature the utility of CA 125 as a marker for the activity of the disease in patients with ovarian cancer during and after treatment is evaluated. It is concluded that CA 125 levels above 35 E/ml are seen in 85% of women with ovarian cancer. CA 125 as a sole parameter cannot be used for the screening of women for ovarian cancer, since high CA 125 values may be seen in conditions other than ovarian cancer. Normalisation of CA 125 values is a condition but not a guarantee for regression of the disease, since patients with a normal CA 125 may have progression of the disease. A rise in CA 125 during or after treatment, however, is almost always associated with progression of the disease.