IMPORTANCE OF SERUM CA-125 LEVELS IN MALIGNANT PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA

Elevated levels of CA 125 have been shown to be present in the serum o f patients with ovarian carcinoma, non-gynaecological cancers and some benign diseases. However, the value of CA 125 in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma has not been studied in detail. Therefore, 7 patients wi th diffuse malignant mesothelioma were included in this study. Median age was 52.4 (range 16-73), and 6 of them were women. The mean serum C A 125 level was 308 kU/1 (range 8-1,300 kU/1). Serum CA 125 concentrat ions were found to be elevated in all 6 female patients. In 3 patients , serum CA 125 levels were followed prospectively and showed a very cl ose correlation with the response to chemotherapy. In 2 responder pati ents, initially elevated CA 125 levels returned to normal during remis sion after chemotherapy. In 1 non-responder patient, the serum CA 125 level continued to rise. In conclusion, the serum CA 125 level might b e helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of malignant peritoneal mesot helioma.