Estimation of CA 125 concentration in patients with congestive heart failure

Tumour marker CA 125 is used in the monitoring results of treatment woman with ovarian cancer. Its diagnostic effectiveness in selected groups of patients is defined by sensitivity estimated at approximately 75% and specifity at 95%. In practice diagnostic specificity of CA 125 concentration is lower as it is limited by the increase of concentration different tumour diseases (bladder cancer) and non-tumour diseases (pericardial inflammation). The aim of the paper was to estimate CA 125 concentration in patients with congestive heart failure as well as to define the range of changes taking place according to the advancement of the disease. The research included 39 patients: 20 women and 19 men aged 45-75 with diagnosed congestive heart failure graded II-IV in the NYHA classification. It has been found that CA 125 concentration in blood serum of the patiens with congestive heart failure was on average approximately 35.4 +/- 24.8 U/ml and was included in the range from 5.6 to 874 U/ml (limit value 21 U/ml). The concentration increase above the limit value was observed in 34% of patients. Significant statistic differences in CA 125 concentration rates were dependent on the disease advancement. The highest concentration rates were observed in patients classified in group IV NYHA. The results that have been obtained allow us to draw a conclusion that right interpretation of CA 125 concentration in clinical practice (screening examinations, establishment of the level of advancement, prognostication as well as monitoring the ovarian cancer treatment) brings the necessity of taking into consideration the degree of congestive heart failure.