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Elevated CA 125 and ascites: not always malignancy

C J Lockhart1, G E McVeigh, M T Harbinson

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland. clockhart01@qub.ac.uk

Irish Journal of Medical Science
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Elevated CA 125 levels and ascites can indicate cardiac failure, not just gynecological malignancy. Prompt echocardiography is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective heart failure treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Presents two cases where ascites and elevated CA 125 initially suggested gynecological malignancy.
  • Highlights the diagnostic challenge in differentiating malignancy from other conditions.

Observation:

  • Initial suspicion of gynecological malignancy in both patients.
  • Negative tests for malignancy led to further investigation.

Findings:

  • Echocardiography revealed cardiac dysfunction in both patients: severe right ventricular dysfunction in one, and biventricular dysfunction with pulmonary hypertension in the other.
  • Both patients showed significant improvement with standard heart failure therapy, including diuretics.

Implications:

  • Suggests CA 125 elevation and ascites can be indicators of cardiac failure.
  • Emphasizes the importance of echocardiography in the diagnostic workup for unexplained ascites and elevated CA 125.
  • Underscores the need to consider cardiac causes in patients presenting with these symptoms, even when malignancy is suspected.
Abstract

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