The Role of CA 125 in Screening for Ovarian Cancer

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.N. Rosenthal ◽  
I.J. Jacobs

Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis of any gynaecological malignancy, primarily because it tends to present at an advanced stage. The excellent survival rates of early stage disease have provided the rationale for efforts to detect ovarian cancer early by screening, in the hope that survival rates will be improved. Available data suggests that CA 125 is elevated in the majority of epithelial ovarian malignancies prior to clinical presentation. Large trials of screening for ovarian cancer indicate that using a CA 125 cutoff value of 30 U/mL has good sensitivity, but inadequate specificity for detecting preclinical disease. Use of transvaginal ultrasonography as a second-line test in women with elevated CA 125 levels improves specificity to acceptable levels, as does use of a mathematical algorithm which analyses rates of change of CA 125. Two major randomised controlled trials, investigating the effect of screening strategies incorporating CA 125 on mortality, are currently underway.

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 4059-4066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Skates ◽  
Nora Horick ◽  
Yinhua Yu ◽  
Feng-Ji Xu ◽  
Andrew Berchuck ◽  
...  

Purpose In CA-125–based ovarian cancer screening trials, overall specificity and screening sensitivity of ultrasound after an elevated CA-125 exceeded 99.6% and 70%, respectively, thereby yielding a positive predictive value (PPV) exceeding 10%. However, sensitivity for early-stage disease was only 40%. This study aims to increase preoperative sensitivity for early-stage ovarian cancer while maintaining the annual referral rate to ultrasound at 2% by combining information across CA-125II, CA 15-3, CA 72-4, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). For direct comparisons between marker panels, all sensitivity results correspond to a 98% fixed first-line specificity (referral rate 2%). Patients and Methods Logistic regression, classification tree, and mixture discriminant analysis (MDA) models were fit to a training data set of preoperative serum measurements (63 patients, 126 healthy controls) from one center. Estimates from the training set applied to an independent validation set (60 stage I to II patients, 98 healthy controls) from two other centers provided unbiased estimates of sensitivity. Results Preoperative sensitivities for early-stage disease of the optimal panels were 45% for CA-125II; 67% for CA-125II and CA 72-4; 70% for CA-125II, CA 72-4, and M-CSF; and 68% for all four markers (latter two results using MDA). Conclusion Efficiently combining information on CA-125II, CA 72-4, and M-CSF significantly increased preoperative early-stage sensitivity from 45% with CA-125II alone to 70%, while maintaining 98% first-line specificity. Screening trials with these markers using MDA followed by referral to ultrasound may maintain previously high levels of specificity and PPV, while significantly increasing early-stage screening sensitivity. MDA is a useful, biologically justified method for combining biomarkers.


Cancer ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel N. Grisham ◽  
Gopa Iyer ◽  
Karuna Garg ◽  
Deborah DeLair ◽  
David M. Hyman ◽  
...  

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kadry ◽  
A Haggag ◽  
A Ekbal

Abstract Background Ovarian cancer remains a major health problem worldwide, with over 225,000 new cases and 140,000 deaths reported annually. Despite high response after initial treatment, 20-30% of patients with early-stage disease and up to 75% of patients with advanced disease present with recurrence within two years. Early diagnosis of recurrence is crucial for determination of the best treatment. Aim of the Work is to detect the significance of PET/CT in the early detection of recurrent ovarian tumors. Patients and Method The study included 25 patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, received treatment and achieved complete response. All of the 25 patients had suspected recurrence either due to elevated tumor markers or suspicious clinical findings. The 25 patients have been referred for PET/CT scan at ElDemerdash university hospital from July 2017 to August 2018. Results Total of 25 patients were included in the study. 18 of 25 patients had high tumor marker (CA 125) level. The remaining 7 patients had suspected recurrence with normal tumor marker levels. Recurrence was confirmed by histopathology or clinical and imaging follow up in 19 patients of the 25 patients. Recurrent disease was not shown in 5 of 19 patients on CECT imaging and 1 of 19 patients on PET/CT imaging. PET/CT had a sensitivity of (94.74%), specificity of (100%) and accuracy of (96%). CECT has been reported with sensitivity of (73.68), specificity of (83.33%) and accuracy of (76%). Conclusion PET/CT is a useful tool and has a higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than CECT in detection of recurrent ovarian cancer.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5580-5580
Author(s):  
L. E. Horvath ◽  
T. Werner ◽  
K. Jones

5580 Background: Ovarian cancer has a different prognosis between early (I and II) and advanced stage (III and IV). The mechanism of disease progression is unknown, but patients with advanced disease may have a higher propensity for seeding of the abdominal cavity early in the disease process than those with early stage. Theoretically if this is so, then patients with advanced stage should have smaller sized tumors than patients with early stage. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients in the tumor registry in 2003 to 2006. Patients had epithelial ovarian cancer, other cell types were excluded. Only cases with documentation of surgical and pathologic staging and measured dimensions on pathologic specimen were included. Patient stage and all available dimensions measured on diseased ovaries were recorded. The dimensions for each patient were averaged into a single dimension for that patient, and then these measurements were totaled and averaged. Results: There were 110 patients analyzed: 85 with advanced disease, 25 with early stage. The average measurement was 4.8 cm in advanced disease, and was 10.7 cm in early stage disease. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall, patients with early stage ovarian cancer have diseased ovaries that are more than twice as large as those found in advanced disease. This finding supports the fact that early versus advanced ovarian cancer are 2 separate disease processes. Early stage grows locally and does not disseminate, and advanced stage disseminates while the tumor is still relatively small. Theoretically there may be a factor that separates these 2 into different diseases, where advanced disease patients have a substance produced by their tumor that allows for early dissemination, and early stage lacks this substance and only grows locally. Basic science research comparing the tissue microarrays of early versus advanced stage disease may be able to identify this difference. If the difference is found, perhaps therapy can be targeted against this difference. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Binuma Shrestha ◽  
Bijaya Chandra Acharya

Cancer of the ovary is a leading cause of death among women. Early stage disease are not evident for the incumbent nature of disease in the abdominal cavity. When ovarian cancer is detected and treated while it is still confined to the ovary (stage I), the 5-year survival rate is approximately 90%, but 33% when the disease is diagnosed at stage III or IV. So screening had role in down staging the disease and improve survival. Evidence still does not support screening in average risk women but annual gynecologic examination with pelvic examination is recommended for preventive healthcare. Screening in women with increased risk and inherited risk result in a decrease in the number of deaths in women. For women with mutations in BRCA2, ovarian cancer screening should be initiated between ages 35 and 40.


MicroRNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis A. Ziogas ◽  
Georgios Sioutas ◽  
Konstantinos S. Mylonas ◽  
Georgios Tsoulfas

Introduction: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world and comes third in cancer-induced mortality. The need for improved and more specific diagnostic methods that can detect early-stage disease is immense, as it is amenable to curative modalities, while advanced HCC is associated with low survival rates. microRNA (miRNA) expression is deregulated in HCC and this can be implemented both diagnostically and therapeutically. Objective: To provide a concise review on the role of miRNA in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of HCC. Method: We conducted a comprehensive review of the PubMed bibliographic database. Results: Multiple miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of HCC. Measurement of the levels of these miRNAs either in tumor tissue or in the blood constitutes a promising diagnostic, as well as prognostic tool. OncomiRs are miRNAs that promote tumorigenesis, thus inhibiting them by administering antagomiRs is a promising treatment option. Moreover, replacement of the depleted miRNAs is another potential therapeutic approach for HCC. Modification of miRNA levels may also regulate sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion: miRNA play a pivotal role in HCC pathogenesis and once the underlying mechanisms are elucidated, they will become part of everyday clinical practice against HCC.


Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyvette Hilliard

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological disease among U.S. women. Poor 5-year survival rates (<30%) are due to presentation of most women at diagnosis with advanced stage disease with widely disseminated intraperitoneal metastasis. However, when diagnosed before metastatic propagation the overall 5-year survival rate is >90%. Metastasizing tumor cells grow rapidly and aggressively attach to the mesothelium of all organs within the peritoneal cavity, including the parietal peritoneum and the omentum, producing secondary lesions. In this review, the involvement of mesothelin (MSLN) in the tumor microenvironment is discussed. MSLN, a 40kDa glycoprotein that is overexpressed in many cancers including ovarian and mesotheliomas is suggested to play a role in cell survival, proliferation, tumor progression, and adherence. However, the biological function of MSLN is not fully understood as MSLN knockout mice do not present with an abnormal phenotype. Conversely, MSLN has been shown to bind to the ovarian cancer antigen, CA-125, and thought to play a role in the peritoneal diffusion of ovarian tumor cells. Although the cancer-specific expression of MSLN makes it a potential therapeutic target, more studies are needed to validate the role of MSLN in tumor metastasis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sloan Stakleff ◽  
A. G. Rouse ◽  
A. P. Ryan ◽  
N. A. Haller ◽  
V. E. Von Gruenigen

The purpose of our study was to ascertain the progression of metastases in a novel ovarian cancer model designed to mimic early-stage disease by utilizing an orthotopic injection technique. Female Fischer 344 rats were injected with either 104 or 105 NuTu-19 cells by intraperitoneal or orthotopic injection. Peritoneal washings and histologic specimens were examined to correlate the incidence and extent of tumor growth. In a second phase, orthotopic injections of 102 and 103 cells were compared to that of 104 cells. Progression of ovarian cancer was observed by gross and microscopic examinations in both intraperitoneal and orthotopic models. Pelvic extension and abdominal adhesions uniquely characterized the orthotopically injected animals. Numbers of identifiable metastases declined with lower cell inocula, confirming that early-stage disease was extended to at least 14 days with 102 NuTu-19 cells. The orthotopic ovarian cancer model emulates early disease with the initiation of a primary tumor that is localized within the inherent microenvironment. The orthotopic model offers a clinically relevant alternative for future cancer research that allows for the investigation of therapeutic strategies against early stages of the disease process.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Harrison ◽  
C. Jameson ◽  
M. E. Gore

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) accounts for approximately 10% of EOCs. Patients presenting with early-stage disease have an excellent prognosis, however, those with advanced disease have a poor outcome with relative resistance to standard ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Molecular and genetic studies demonstrate differences between mucinous and serous EOC supporting the concept that these tumors develop along separate pathways. Together with the observed differences in clinical behavior and outcome for mEOC, there is a need to develop specific therapeutic strategies for this histologic subtype. The relative rarity of advanced mEOC has resulted in few patients enrolled in major ovarian cancer trials. The results of such trials may not necessarily reflect those specific to mEOC. Separate trials testing alternative chemotherapeutics are required. Metastatic mucinous tumors from other sites such as the gastrointestinal tract may present with ovarian involvement. For all mucinous tumors of the ovary, establishing primary as opposed to metastatic cancers is important. Clinical presentation, tumor markers, histologic, and immunohistochemical features are helpful in distinguishing most cases.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana E Tchabo ◽  
Elizabeth A Guancial ◽  
Josephine A Czechowicz ◽  
Elise C Kohn

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death in the Western world and more than 70% of patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease. The high mortality rate is due to the difficulty in the early detection of ovarian cancer. Current screening strategies lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity to reliably and accurately diagnose affected women, prompting investigators to seek alternative means of analysis found in protein pathways and networks. Proteomics seeks to advance the understanding of how proteins interact in cancer and may provide a mechanism for early stage diagnosis. The proteomic techniques of laser capture microdissection, mass spectrometry and tissue lysate arrays have led to the discovery of new biomarkers and the identification, development and approval of a number of targeted therapeutic agents. Following validation through clinical trials, the application of these techniques will contribute to the changing paradigm of cancer detection and treatment toward personalized medicine.


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