Role of biomarkers CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 in the distinction between endometriomas and ovarian neoplasms

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the utilisation of CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 in differentiating between ovarian neoplasms and endometriomas, and the best cut-off value for these tumour markers in this differentiation.

Materials and methods

Preoperative serum values of CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 were evaluated in 265 patients undergoing surgery for adnexal masses, being 32 non-neoplastic lesions, 134 benign neoplasms, 19 borderline tumours, 36 malignant neoplasms, and 44 endometriomas. ROC curves and Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

Only CA-19.9 was useful in differentiating between endometriomas and ovarian neoplasms (benign and malignant tumours), being this marker found at higher levels in endometriomas. In multivariate analyses, CA-19.9 greater than 22.3 U/mL was considered an independent factor for the diagnosis of endometrioma, comparing endometrioma and ovarian cancer. Comparing endometrioma and all other groups, the clustering analysis using the combination CA-125 > 34.28 U/mL and CA-19.9 > 19.12 U/mL demonstrated that this association was considered an independent factor for the diagnosis of endometrioma.

Conclusion

CA-9.9 is useful in distinguishing between endometriomas and ovarian cancer, and its combination with CA-125 is useful in differentiating endometrioma from other ovarian lesions.

Keywords:

• Endometrioma
• ovarian neoplasms
• CA-19.9
• CA-125
• diagnosis

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding received from the CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), FUNEPU (Fundação de Ensino e Pesquisa de Uberaba), FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais), and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).