Detection of serum CA_(125) in patients with ovarian tumors

Objective: To investigate the change of serum CA_(125) level and its clinical significance in patients with ovarian tumors. Methods: Serum CA_(125) level was determined by immunoradiometry in 75 patients with malignant ovarian tumors, 96 benign ovarian tumors, 13 borderline ovarian tumors, 19 endometriosis, 13 pelvic inflammation, and 52 healthy women. Results: Serum CA_(125) content in patients with epithelial ovarian cancers was significantly higher than those with non-epithelial ovarian cancers, benign ovarian tumors, and borderline ovarian tumors (P0.01), but it was not superior to that in patients with endometriosis and pelvic inflammation (P0.05). CA_(125) level was correlated with clinical staging and chemotherapeutic efficacy in epithelial ovarian cancers (P0.01). Conclusion: Serum CA_(125) maybe a marker for ovarian cancer.