CA-125 - A TUMOR-MARKER

Tumor markers are useful tools in monitoring malignancies postoperativ ely or under hormone-/chemotherapy. In contrast, they usually lack dia gnostic relevance and uncritical use may result in confusing situation s. We describe three cases of diagnostic determinations of the tumor m arker CA 125 resulting in subsequent partially invasive procedures. Ba sed on these three cases, serum CA 125 levels were examined in 49 pati ents with abdominal diseases. We found CA 125 to be less a tumor produ ct than an unspecific expression of stimulated mesothelial cells of th e peritoneum. CA 125 was a marker for ascites (16 of 16 patients) and an indicator of infra-diaphragmatic involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymph oma (11 of 12 patients). Furthermore, 5 of 6 patients with inflammator y abdominal diseases showed elevated CA 125 levels, as did 13 of 15 pa tients with solid abdominal tumors of different histology (all non-ova rian cancer, no ascites). In conclusion, CA 125 remains a good marker for follow-up of ovarian cancer, but should not be used for diagnosis of abdominal processes.