Usefulness of the epithelial tumor marker CA-125 in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

CA-125: a commonly used tumor marker for epithelial ovarian cancer, Is a gl ycoprotein found in normal tissues derived from coelomic epithelia. Increas ed serum levels of CA-125 have also been found in nongynecologic tumors and nonmalignant diseases involving the peritoneum. A few recent studies and s poradic case reports have reported increased CA-125 levels in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the serum levels of CA-125 in patients with NHL and determine its potential role to show disease activity in NHL. Serum levels of CA-125 were measured in 61 pa tients with NHL and were found to be correlated with clinical stage, site o f involvement, and disease activity.