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Carbohydrate Antigen-125: Endometrial Cancer or Heart Failure Biomarker?

  • 0Indiana Heart Physicians, Franciscan Cardio-Oncology Center, Franciscan Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Jacc. Case Reports +

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July 4, 2025

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July 4, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels in endometrial cancer patients can be elevated due to heart failure (HF), not just cancer progression. Clinicians should consider HF as a cause for rising CA-125 levels.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Biomarker Research

Background

  • Carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) is a biomarker commonly used to monitor endometrial cancer progression.
  • Elevated CA-125 levels can also be associated with other non-malignant conditions.

Observation

  • A 70-year-old woman with metastatic endometrial cancer presented with ascites and rising CA-125 levels, initially concerning for disease progression.
  • The patient was diagnosed with heart failure (HF).

Findings

  • Treatment of HF with loop diuretics led to normalization of CA-125 levels without altering cancer therapy.
  • This suggests CA-125 levels can be influenced by intracardiac filling pressures in HF.

Implications

  • CA-125 may serve as a novel biomarker for monitoring heart failure.
  • Clinicians should consider heart failure as a potential cause for elevated CA-125 levels in endometrial cancer patients, alongside cancer progression.

Keywords:

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