Immunohistochemical detection of CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen in ovarian tumors in relation to corresponding preoperative serum levels

Abstract

The immunohistochemically detectable expression of CA-125 and CEA in ovarian tumor tissue from 187 patients was related to corresponding preoperative serum levels. A strong positive association between tissue expression and the serum level of both the CA-125 and CEA antigens was found in cases of invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma. However, this relationship was absent for CA-125 in borderline cases and patients with benign ovarian tumors, although the antigen frequently was detectable in them. The presence of ascites could be verified in 3 of 10 cases with benign CA-125 negative tumors, but elevated CA-125 levels in serum. 'False negative' CA-125 levels were found in 6 borderline and 7 true invasive carcinoma cases despite positive tissue staining. Eight of those patients had limited stage I disease. The data suggests that although the tissue expression of the CA-125 and CEA antigens in invasive ovarian carcinoma has an important influence in the corresponding serum level, compartment barriers and low cell turnover in benign, and to a lesser extent borderline, cases result in low serum levels. In addition, other factors influence serum levels of CA-125, such as secondary peritoneal response with or without ascites, which may cause 'falsely elevated' CA-125 results in benign disease.

OVX1, macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and CA-125-II as tumor markers for epithelial ovarian carcinoma

“…10,[27][28][29][30] In the current study, 22 of 77 patients (29%) with benign ovarian neoplasms had elevated CA-125-II levels, whereas one of the three markers was elevated in 32 of 77 patients (42%). Again, this difference did not achieve statistical significance.…”

Influence of tumor grade on expression of CA 125 in serum and tissue in patients with serous ovarian carcinoma

“…Serum CA 125 level also depends on the dilution of the marker in the general circulation and its degradation and excretion from the body [8]. Some authors have stated that the serum CA 125 value is directly and positively related to the expression of the marker in tissue [9]. Such a realation was also indicated in our study but was not statistically significant (p = 0.052).…”

Serum β-HCG and CA-125 as Tumor Markers in a Patient with Osteosarcoma: Case Report

“…There have been previous reports that benign conditions including benign ascites, peritonitis and pelvic inflammatory disease can cause elevated CA-125 serum levels [9][10][11] . Falsely elevated CA-125 serum levels have been described in patients with CA-125negative ovarian cancer 16 and, interestingly, in a patient with a CA-125-negative rhabdomyosarcoma 17 . We found no nonmalignant disorder in our patient that might have caused her CA-125 serum levels to be falsely elevated and she also did not have ascitis or pleural involvement that might have explained our findings.…”

“…We found no nonmalignant disorder in our patient that might have caused her CA-125 serum levels to be falsely elevated and she also did not have ascitis or pleural involvement that might have explained our findings. Finally, discrepancies between CA-125 tumor staining and serum levels may be due to sensitivity problems of the immunohistochemical staining method in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue, as previously described 16 .…”