SERUM CA-125 CONCENTRATIONS IN WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGES, HORMONAL STATUSES, OR CLINICAL CONDITIONS

Changes in serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 concentrations during the nor mal menstrual cycle, the suppressed or stimulated cycle, pregnancy, an d during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause were studie d to gain a better understanding of factors that influence serum CA 12 5 concentrations. The clinical status of 300 women was reviewed and th eir serum CA 125 concentration was determined. In the normal-cycle gro up and in the oral contraceptive group CA 125 serum concentrations wer e higher during the early (follicular) phase of the menstrual cycle th an during the later (luteal) phase. No increase in serum CA 125 concen tration was seen in the ovarian stimulation group. Serum CA 125 concen trations were higher in the first trimester of pregnancy. In both grou ps of postmenopausal women mean serum CA 125 concentrations were below 10 U ml(-1). During HRT, serum CA 125 concentrations increased in the non-hysterectomy group while a decrease was seen in the hysterectomy group. Ovarian activity is of limited influence on the serum CA 125 co ncentration. Changes taking place within the endometrial tissue may be of more importance. The low serum CA 125 concentrations observed in t he groups of postmenopausal women suggest that it may be justified to employ lower reference values for serum CA 125 in the clinical managem ent and follow-up of ovarian cancer patients.