An Immunohistochemical Study of CA 125, CA 19-9, and CA 15-3 in Ovarian Epithelial Tumors

Park, Hye Rim; Ahn, Hye Kyung; Park, Young Euy; Nam, Joo Hyun

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between the expression of CA 125, CA 19-9, and CA 15-3 and ovarian epithelial tumors, immunohistochemical stainings were performed and analyzed to the types of tumor, and the degree o malignancy and differentiation in the total 42 cases. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The expression of CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 was demonstrated in most cases of benign, borderline and malignant mucinous tumors. All types tumors were negative for CA 125. 2) All types of serous tumors including benign, borderline and malignant revealed strong positive reaction for CA 125 and CA 15-3 in contrast to some weak positivity for CA 19-9. Expression of CA 125 was significantly increased in high grade serous adenocarcinomas compared with low of grade. 3) Endometrioid carcinomas revealed strong positive reaction for CA 15-3 in contrast to some positivity for CA 125 and CA 19-9. One case of Brenner tumor expressed CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 without expression of CA 125. 4) Serum CA 125 levels were elevated in 80% and CA 15-3 levels in 100% of ovarian epithelial malignancy. The correlation between serum levels and staining intensities was moderate.