CA19-9 as a marker for ovarian cancer: Alone and in comparison with CA125
1985

CA19-9 as a Marker for Ovarian Cancer

Sample size: 55 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): P.A. Canney, P.M. Wilkinson, R.D. James, M. Moore

Primary Institution: Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute

Hypothesis

Can CA19-9 levels in serum provide more information about ovarian carcinoma compared to CA125 levels?

Conclusion

CA19-9 is not adequate as a standalone marker for ovarian cancer but may provide additional prognostic information when used alongside CA125.

Supporting Evidence

  • CA19-9 levels were measured in patients with known ovarian carcinoma.
  • The overall sensitivity for CA125 was 76%, while the combined sensitivity with CA19-9 rose to 80%.
  • Elevated CA19-9 levels before chemotherapy were associated with a significant adverse prognosis.

Takeaway

This study looked at a blood test called CA19-9 to see if it helps find ovarian cancer better than another test called CA125. It found that CA19-9 isn't good enough on its own but can give extra information when used with CA125.

Methodology

Sera from 55 patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma were tested for CA19-9 and CA125 levels using radioimmunoassays.

Limitations

The sensitivity of the CA19-9 assay was low at 29%, making it inadequate as a standalone marker.

Participant Demographics

Patients with histologically proven ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

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