The clinical significance of serum CA 125, CA 19-9 and eosinophil levels in endometriosis

Jeon, Si Won; Lee, Sa Ra; Moon, Hye Sung; Chung, Hye Won

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of serum CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil as biological markers for the diagnosis and recurrence of endometriosis.
METHODS
One hundred seventeen patients who underwent operations for endometriosis between January 2000 and December 2006 at our department were included. A total of 50 reproductive aged women who visited our health care center were the control group. Data on serum level of CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil was collected. Patients symptoms, sonographic findings, stage, treatment, recurrence were also collected. Venous blood sampling was performed 1 month before operation and 1 to 6 months after operation. We analyzed the serum level of CA 125, CA 19-9, and eosinophil according to the endometriosis stage and symptoms. We also analyzed the differences between preoperative and postoperative serum marker levels.
RESULTS
The serum level of CA 125 and CA 19-9 was available in 88 patients and 45 patients, respectively. The mean eosinophil count was significantly lower in endometriosis group than in control group. In comparison between preoperative values and postoperative values, the CA 125 and CA 19-9 level showed significant reduction (P<0.05), however the eosinophil level showed no difference. The positive rate of serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 were 68.9% and 60.0% as a single test, whereas the combined positive rate of CA 125 and CA 19-9 was 82.2%.
CONCLUSION
For the diagnosis and follow-up of endometriosis, serum CA 125 and CA 19-9 combination test will be valuable. Serum eosinophil count seems to be unsuitable for the screening and follow up test of endometriosis.