Korean J Gynecol Oncol Colposc.  1992 Mar;3(1):1-9.

Preoperative Tumor Marker Levels in Differentiating Malignant from Benign Tumors in with Pelvic Masses

• Nam JH
• Park MC
• Chung JK
• Park SY
• Lee JH
• Mok JE

Abstract

Preoperative serum sampks were collected from 78 patients with pelvic rnasses. Using immunoradiometric assays, tumor-asaociated antigens CA 125, CA 15-3, and TAG 72 were measured to evaluate tbe usefulness af these markers in differentiating benign from malignant pelvic masses. Serum CA 125 levels were elevated above 65 U/ml in 85% of 33 patients witb melignant pelvic masses, and in 24% of 45 patients with benign pelvic masses. Elevation of CA .1.5-3(>30 U/ml) and TAG 72(>10 U/ml) levels occurred in 45% and 30% of patients with malignancies, And 9% and 4o of patients with benign masses, respectively. Serurn CA 125 levels distinguiahed. most effeetively between patients with malignant pelvie masses and those with benign pelvic masses, having a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 76% at the cut-off level of 65 U/ml. When differentiating 21 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer frorn 45 patients with benign masses, the CA 125 Jevels(> 65 U/ml) alone had a sensiticity of 95% and a specificity of 76%. Comparing to CA 125, sensitivities of CA 15-3 and TAG 72 were much lower, 57% and 48%, respectively. However, specificities of these two markers were much higher than CA 125, 91% and 96%, respeetively, Coordinate elevations of CA l25(> 65 U/ml) and CA 15-3(> 30 U/ml) or TAG 72(> 10 U/ml) discrirninated epithelial ovarian cancers from benign m es with a sensitivity of 62% and ecifieity of 90%. Among patients over 50 years of age, a sensitivity and a speeificity incressed to 79% and 100%, respectively. Consequently, combined use of CA 15-3 and TAG 72 with CA 125 can obtam an aeceptable sensitivity and an excellent specificity in dlifferentiating malignant from benign pelvic masses, particulerly among petients over 50 years of age. Prospective studies will be required to examine the efficacy of eomhined use of additional markers with CA 125 in the screening of ovarian eancer.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Immunoradiometric Assay
Mass Screening
Ovarian Neoplasms
Sensitivity and Specificity