Elevation of CA 125 in patients with benign and malignant ascites

The presence of CA 125, an ovarian cancer-associated antigen, was assessed in serum and ascites from patients with ovarian cancer (n = 47), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 21), and liver cirrhosis (n = 40). Abnormal levels of serum CA 125 were observed in 49% of ovarian cancer patients, and in 89% of these same patients with ascites. In all cases of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma with ascites, CA 125 levels were above 35 U/ml. The specificity and sensitivity of CA 125 measurement for detecting ascites in chronic liver diseases were 73% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, the CA 125 level was always higher in ascites than in serum. The authors conclude that CA 125 is a nonspecific marker of ascites. This result must be considered in the interpretation of CA 125 elevation in patients with ovarian cancer. Moreover, CA 125 may be of value in the diagnosis and monitoring of peritoneal diseases.