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Elevated serum CA 125 secondary to tuberculous peritonitis
1Department of Medicine, Evanston Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Illinois.
Cancer
|September 15, 1993
Summary
Tuberculous peritonitis can elevate cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels. CA 125 can effectively monitor treatment response in non-cancerous conditions like tuberculous peritonitis.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnosis
- Oncology
- Infectious disease
Background:
- Tuberculous peritonitis is a serious infection that can cause abdominal fluid buildup (ascites).
- Elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels are typically associated with ovarian cancer but can rise in other inflammatory conditions.
Observation:
- A patient with ascites and fever showed a positive tuberculosis test and a high CA 125 level (708 U/ml).
- Diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis was confirmed through peritoneal biopsy.
Findings:
- CA 125 levels were used to track the patient's response to antitubercular therapy.
- After 12 weeks of treatment, the patient's CA 125 level became undetectable.
Implications:
- This case suggests that CA 125 can be a useful tumor marker for monitoring disease activity in non-neoplastic conditions causing ascites.
- Utilizing CA 125 may aid in assessing treatment efficacy for tuberculous peritonitis and similar non-cancerous conditions.