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Benign conditions associated with raised serum CA-125 concentration
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Kent, England.
Insights
Elevated serum CA-125 levels can occur in patients without ovarian cancer. This retrospective audit found 19 benign conditions, including gynecological, abdominal, and lung diseases, that caused false-positive CA-125 results.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Gynecology
Background:
- The serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a tumor marker often associated with ovarian cancer.
- Elevated CA-125 levels can sometimes be observed in non-malignant conditions, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit retrospective data on elevated serum CA-125 concentrations.
- To identify benign conditions that may cause false-positive elevations in serum CA-125.
- To emphasize the need for caution when interpreting elevated CA-125 as indicative of ovarian malignancy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of patient data.
- Analysis of serum CA-125 concentrations over a 42-month period.
- Categorization of patients based on underlying benign conditions.
Main Results:
- Nineteen benign conditions were identified that resulted in elevated serum CA-125.
- These included six patients with non-malignant gynecological disease.
- Six patients had abdominal disorders, and seven had lung disease, all with elevated CA-125.
Conclusions:
- False-positive elevations of serum CA-125 are possible due to various benign conditions.
- Elevated serum CA-125 should not be solely relied upon as a definitive indicator of ovarian malignancy.
- Careful clinical evaluation is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Abstract:
A retrospective audit carried out in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, covering a period of 42 months, showed 19 benign conditions, that gave rise to elevated serum CA-125 concentrations. These included six patients with non-malignant gynaecological disease, six patients with abdominal disorders, and seven patients with lung disease. These observations confirm that false-positive elevations can occur and that care must be taken before attributing an elevated serum CA-125 as an indicator of ovarian malignancy.