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CA 125 is a better marker to differentiate endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding
Nithin, Kumar U; Sridhar, MG; Srilatha, K & Habebullah, S
Abstract
Background: Incidence of endometrial cancer in India is increasing due to lifestyle changes and obesity. As 5 year survival
rate of cancer confined to uterus is good, there is need for serum tumor marker for early diagnosis. This study was designed
to identify a tumor marker which differentiate endometrial carcinoma and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) because common
presentation of endometrial carcinoma is AUB.
Objectives: To estimate and compare serum prolactin, Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125), Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), and Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding; To evaluate the role of
these markers in diagnosing endometrial cancer.
Methodology: Thirty eight patients with endometrial cancer and 40 patients with AUB were recruited in this study. Serum prolactin, CA 125, CEA, and CA 15-3 levels were estimated in both groups.
Results: The levels of CA 15-3, CA 125, CEA, and prolactin were increased in endometrial carcinoma patients, on comparison
with AUB patients. CA 125 alone was found to be a better marker to detect endometrial cancer with 52.63% sensitivity, 80.00%
specificity.
Conclusion: As individual tumor marker, serum CA 125 has the ability to detect endometrial cancer in patients with abnormal
uterine bleeding.
Keywords
CA-125 antigen; CA 15-3; carcino embryonic antigen; endometrial carcinoma; prolactin; tumor marker; abnormal uterine bleeding.
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