An early detection of the recurrence of serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary with the tumor marker CA125 levels
Usui, N.; Suzuki, M.; Takada, M.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 44(6): 703-709
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 1506732 Document Number: 395141
We studied whether or not, and to what extent, it was possible to predict the recurrence of serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary by means of the tumor marker CA125 levels, in 35 treated cases of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. The relationship between the change in CA125 levels and the frequency of recurrence was examined in two groups (recurrent group and non-recurrent group). When CA125 levels over 35U/ml were defined as positive for recurrence, the true positive rate was 22/23 in the recurrent group, and 0 in the non-recurrent group. When this cut-off level was lowered to 30U/ml, and then 25U/ml, the false positive rate in the non-recurrent group was increased to 1/12 and 4/12, respectively. A three-serial increase in CA125 levels was observed at the onset of recurrent cases including two cases with CA125 levels under 35U/ml, while it was not detected in any in the non-recurrent group. Analysis of the CA125 level increase pattern with a non-linear model showed that recurrence could be detected before the CA125 level reached 100U/ml in 13/19 (68.4%) cases if the interval between CA125 measurements was one mouth, and in 17/19 (89.5%) cases if the interval was two weeks. These results suggest that possibility that recurrence can be detected early.