Role of serial tumor markers in the surveillance for recurrence in endometrial cancer

Cancer Detect Prev. 1999;23(5):397-400. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1500.1999.99043.x.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of tumor markers in the follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer. The sera of 23 patients with elevated pretreatment CA125, CA15.3, and CA19.9 were collected at each follow-up visit and analyzed. Eleven patients had normal posttreatment levels and none of them developed recurrence. Twelve patients had one or more increased tumor markers, 7 (58.3%) of them developed recurrence. Among these seven patients, six had CA125 elevated by at least 10-fold and one had elevated CA19.9. The median lead time between elevation of tumor markers and clinical evidence of recurrence was 6 months. Hence posttreatment elevation of CA125 is a useful predictor for recurrence in patients with elevated pretreatment levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • CA-125 Antigen / blood
  • CA-19-9 Antigen / blood
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mucin-1 / blood
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CA-125 Antigen
  • CA-19-9 Antigen
  • Mucin-1