Clinical evaluation of serum CA125 levels in gynecological disease patients

Since Bast et. al. reported that patients with ovarian carcinoma had elevated levels of CA125 in serum, the attention has been paid to CA125 in serum as a tumor maker. Serum CA125 levels in 88 patients with gynecological disease were measured. Among 15 patients with malignant ovarian tumor, CA125 values were above 35 U/ml in 80% , and above 65 U/ml in 73% , of serum samples assayed. By increasing the values of CA125 considered normal from 35 to 65 U/ml, the positive rate of benign ovarian tumor and carcinoma of the uterus was markedly reduced. Therefore, it was more efficient as a screening test for gynecological disease that the value of CA125 considered abnormal be above 65 U/ml. Serum CA125 levels were correlated with efficacy of therapy and the clinical course.