Clinical Significance of Multiple Serum Tumor Markers in the Detection of Ovarian Carcinoma

Choi, Ho Sun; Oh, Yoon Sang; Cho, Moon Kyong; Kang, Myoung Seon; Kang, Woo Dae; Park, Sang Hyun; Lee, Kwang Su; Ha, Jin A; Jo, Myoung Sook; Kim, Seok Mo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the possible role of 2 additional tumor markers to CA125 in discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
METHODS
Serum samples from 1,346 patients were obtained on seven days before operation. All patients underwent surgery for ovarian tumors. Serum levels of 3 tumor markers were compared to histology. Concentrations of tumor markers (CA125, CA72-4, CA19-9) were detected by enzyme immuno- or immunoradiometric assays. Normal range of these markers was defined as CA125 RESULTS
The average values (U/ml) of CA72-4 and CA19-9 in patients with malignant ovarian tumor were higher than those of benign ovarian tumor, respectively (12.09+/-32.36 vs. 2.09+/-5.43, 161.13+/-549.21 vs. 46.29+/-193.12). Among these 3 ovarian tumor markers, CA125 was the most sensitive (67.7%) marker and CA72-4 was the highest in specificity (96.3%).
CONCLUSION
The checking the levels of CA72-4 and CA19-9 as the supplementary serum tumor markers additional to CA125 were more sensitive than CA125 alone in diagnosing ovarian carcinoma.