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Cerebral infarction developing in a patient without cancer with a markedly elevated level of mucinous tumor marker
Kazuo Yamashiro1, Tsuyoshi Furuya, Kazuyuki Noda
1Department of Neurology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. kazuo-y@juntendo.ac.jp
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown the possible role of mucin in cerebral infarction associated with coagulation abnormalities in patients with cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma. We report a 42-year-old woman who developed motor aphasia and cerebral infarction in the left frontal lobe and right parietal lobe. A mucinous tumor marker, CA125 level, was markedly elevated at 1750 U/mL (normal, <36 U/mL), and the D-dimer level was 6.0 μg/mL (normal, <1 μg/mL). She had adenomyosis and no malignancy was revealed. The CA125 and the D-dimer levels became normal after treatment of adenomyosis. Our findings suggest for the first time that marked elevation of mucinous tumor marker level may cause cerebral infarction even in benign conditions.
Insights
Elevated mucinous tumor markers, like CA125, can cause cerebral infarction (stroke) even in benign conditions. Treating the underlying cause, such as adenomyosis, normalized these markers and resolved the stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Previous research linked mucin and coagulation abnormalities to cancer-related cerebral infarction.
- The study investigated a novel association between mucinous tumor markers and stroke.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman presented with motor aphasia and cerebral infarction.
- She had markedly elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and D-dimer levels.
- The patient was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a benign gynecological condition.
Findings:
- Cerebral infarction occurred despite the absence of malignancy.
- CA125 and D-dimer levels normalized after adenomyosis treatment.
- This suggests a direct link between elevated mucinous markers and stroke risk.
Implications:
- Marked elevation of mucinous tumor markers may precipitate cerebral infarction, even in benign conditions.
- This finding expands the understanding of stroke etiology beyond malignancy.
- It highlights the importance of evaluating tumor markers in unexplained thrombotic events.
