Studying CA-125 tumor marker level in different stages, histopathological types, and grades of endometrial cancer

Abstract

Evidence Based Women’s Health Journal 2016, 6:149–152 Objective The aim of this study was to correlate the level of CA125 in different stages, histopathological types, and grades of endometrial cancer. Patients and methods Prospective study was conducted on 120 endometrial cancer patients who underwent full surgical staging, preoperative measurement of CA125, histopathological examination, and grading of uterus and pelvic lymph nodes. Results Histopathology of the cases revealed the following: 102 cases were endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 17 cases were serous papillary adenocarcinoma, and one case was clear cell carcinoma. All 25 (100%) cases with advanced-stage disease had a CA-125 level of at least 35 U\ml, compared with 52 of 95 (54.7%) cases with early-stage disease (Po0.001). In relation to histopathological type and CA-125 serum level, all the 18 (100%) nonendometrioid-type cases had a CA-125 level of greater than or equal to 35 U\ml in comparison with 59 of 102 (57.8%) endometriod cases (P = 0.001). In contrast to histopathological grading, there was no positive correlation (P = 0.36). Conclusion Preoperative CA125 serum levels of at least 35 U\ml in uterine adenocarcinoma can predict advanced disease stages (III or IV), regional lymph nodes metastasis, and high risk patients who need regional lymphadenectomy and complete surgical staging.