Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Dec;45(12):2231-2235.

Serum CA 19-9 levels in patients with endometriosis

• Choi YM
• Sohn YK
• Kim TJ
• Ku SY
• Bai KB
• Suh CS
• Kim SH
• Kim JG
• Moon SY
• Lee JY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To explore the efficacy of serum CA19-9 determination for the detection of endometriosis. DESIGNS: A retrospective analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Preoperative serum CA19-9 and CA125 concentrations were measured in 53 patients with surgically and/or histologically diagnosed endometriosis. The extent of disease was staged according to the revised American Fertility Society (1985) classification system.
RESULTS
Serum CA19-9 levels were elevated (>or=37 U/ml) in 13 (24.5%) out of 53 patients with endometriosis and serum CA125 levels were elevated (>or=35 U/ml) in 13 (24.5%). Either CA19-9 or CA125 levels in serum were elevated in 18 (34.0%) patients. In patients with stage III or IV endometriosis, elevated CA19-9 levels were noted in 11 (31.4%) of 35 patients, while CA125 in 12 (34.3%). Either CA19-9 or CA125 levels in serum were elevated in 15 (42.9%) of 35 patients with stage III or IV.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that serum CA19-9, in addition to CA125, measurement could help in identifying patients with moderate to severe endometriosis.

Keyword

endometriosis; CA19-9; CA125; tumor marker

MeSH Terms

Classification
Endometriosis*
Female
Fertility
Humans
Retrospective Studies