INCREASED CA-125 IN A PATIENT WITH TUBERCULOUS PERITONITIS - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF PUBLISHED WORKS

A case of a middle aged woman with weight loss, ascites, and a pleural effusion is presented where a clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer wa s made. Her CA 125 was greatly increased at 873 IU/ml and the ascites was a lymphocytic exudate but cytology failed to show malignant cells. Operative biopsy showed numerous non-caseating granulomas in the omen tum but no mycobacterial organisms were seen. Empiric antituberculous treatment was started before positive culture results were received an d when treatment had ended both the ascites and pleural effusion had r esolved and the CA 125 had fallen to 7 IU/ml. Review of published work s showed several other examples of tuberculous peritionitis associated with increased CA 125 and the possible cause of raised CA 125 in this condition is discussed.