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CA 125 levels in menopausal women
C Westhoff1, E Gollub, J Patel
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Public Health, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|September 1, 1990
Summary
CA 125 shows promise as a cost-effective ovarian cancer screening tool. In cancer-free women, CA 125 levels were consistently low and reproducible, suggesting its utility in screening programs.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Oncology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Ovarian cancer screening requires understanding CA 125 performance in cancer-free individuals.
- CA 125 is a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of CA 125 in a population of cancer-free women.
- To assess the reproducibility and distribution of CA 125 levels in asymptomatic menopausal women.
Main Methods:
- CA 125 levels were measured twice in 258 menopausal volunteers.
- Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to measure ovarian volumes.
- Correlation between CA 125 and ovarian volume was analyzed.
Main Results:
- The mean CA 125 level was 5.6 +/- 3.5 U/mL, with only one subject above 35 U/mL.
- High reproducibility of CA 125 measurements was observed (r = 0.82).
- Low correlation (r = 0.11) was found between CA 125 levels and ovarian volume.
Conclusions:
- CA 125 demonstrated low, reproducible levels in cancer-free women, indicating potential utility in screening.
- The independence of CA 125 from ovarian volume is advantageous for screening.
- Further research is needed to validate CA 125 performance at low levels.