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Serum CA 125 levels before, during and after treatment for endometriosis
Author(s) -
Özakşit G.,
Ȼaǧlar T.,
Ȼiçek N.,
Kuşçu E.,
Batioǧlu S.,
Gökmen O.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(95)02456-m
Subject(s) - medicine , endometriosis , gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist , agonist , luteal phase , leuprorelin , urology , hormone , laparoscopy , endometrium , gonadotropin releasing hormone , gynecology , endocrinology , gastroenterology , receptor , surgery , luteinizing hormone , buserelin
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment of endometriosis with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist in terms of changes to the extent of disease and to CA 125 levels as well as to recurrence during follow‐up. Methods: The levels of serum CA 125 were evaluated in 66 patients with endometriosis diagnosed and staged by laparoscopy according to the revised American Fertility Society classification, who received a 6‐month course of a GnRH agonist. Serum CA 125 levels were measured before, during (3 and 6 months after the initiation of therapy) and 6 months after cessation of therapy. Results: Patients with minimal and mild endometriosis had significantly higher mean pretreatment values than control subjects in the luteal phase of the cycle or than postmenopausal women (P < 0.05), but the overall mean value was still below 35 U/ml. Levels of CA 125 fell during treatment to those found in normal controls, but rose again after the end of treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of CA 125 were 75% and 83.3%, respectively, and its positive predictive value as a marker of recurrence was 46.36%. Conclusion: These data suggest that CA 125 may be a reliable indicator for monitoring the efficacy of GnRH agonist treatment of endometriosis, but its value as a predictor of recurrence is low, probably due to the suppression of all CA 125 sources such as endometrium, ovaries and implants.