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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Published on: July 25, 2017
Peritoneal tuberculosis with elevated serum Ca-125 level mimicking advanced stage ovarian cancer: a case report
Orkun Tan1, Edward Luchansky, Stephen Rosenman
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY 10016, USA. tano01@med.nyu.edu
Background:
Tuberculosis is still a common problem in immigrant population with peritoneal tuberculosis as the most common presentation of extrapulmonary disease.
Case:
A 36-year-old woman presented with abdominal distention, night sweats and weight loss. Physical examination and radiologic studies revealed ascites, omental caking and bilateral enlarged ovaries with an elevated serum Ca-125 of 353 U/mL. Acid-fast stain and culture were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy revealed multiple granulomas with epithelioid cells and caseification necrosis confirming tuberculosis. Treatment with anti-tuberculin drugs resulted in resolution of symptoms with a reduction in Ca-125 to normal.
Conclusion:
Laparoscopic biopsy with frozen section evaluation would spare patients with peritoneal tuberculosis from unnecessary extensive surgery. Serum Ca-125 level may be useful in monitoring treatment response.
