Serum CA125 level is a good prognostic indicator in lung cancer

The serum CA125 level was determined by a one-step immunoradiometric assay method in patients with lung cancer. Increased serum CA125 levels were observed in 37.8% of patients with squamous cell cancer, in 30.0% of those with adenocarcinoma and in 60.0% of those with small call cancer. Most patients with increased serum CA125 levels were in stages 3 or 4. Patients with pleural effusions or ascites showed high serum CA125 levels. The survival time was significantly shorter in patients with increased serum CA125 levels than in those within normal limits. Among patients with advanced disease (stages 3 and 4), an increased serum CA125 level was again a poor prognostic factor (P less than 0.01). The existence of a pleural effusion did not correlate with the survival time. We conclude that CA125 is a good indicator of disease extent and serum levels correlate to the length of survival.