Tumor Marker CA 125: The Clinical Significance of the Serum Marker CA 125 in the Management of Patients with Ovarian Cancer

摘要

The objective of the study is to determine the significance of serum CA 125 in the management of patients with ovarian cancer. A review of the literature on CA 125 is given. The relative merits of gynecological and general physical examination, routine blood tests, abdominal CT-scan, chest film and second look surgery in determining progressive disease have been investigated in a study population of 101 patients. The upper limit of normal of CA 125 in patients in clinical remission is described. The significance of the serum tumor marker CA 125 in the management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer is reported, and the significance of CA 125 in the detection of progressive disease, its predictive value for progression free survival in patients undergoing a debulking operation, the response at second look operation, and the prognostic value of CA 125 level prior to chemotherapy and its half-life are described.