TY - JOUR T1 - Immunohistochemical detection of CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen in ovarian tumors in relation to corresponding preoperative serum levels JF - International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer JO - Int J Gynecol Cancer SP - 263 LP - 270 DO - 10.1046/j.1525-1438.1992.02050263.x VL - 2 IS - 5 AU - B. THOLANDER AU - A. LINDGREN AU - A. TAUBE AU - S. STÉNSON Y1 - 1992/09/01 UR - http://ijgc.bmj.com/content/2/5/263.abstract N2 - The immunohistochemically detectable expression of CA-125 and CEA in ovarian tumor tissue from 187 patients was related to corresponding preoperative serum levels. A strong positive association between tissue expression and the serum level of both the CA-125 and CEA antigens was found in cases of invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma. However, this relationship was absent for CA-125 in borderline cases and patients with benign ovarian tumors, although the antigen frequently was detectable in them. The presence of ascites could be verified in 3 of 10 cases with benign CA-125 negative tumors, but elevated CA-125 levels in serum. ‘False negative’ CA-125 levels were found in 6 borderline and 7 true invasive carcinoma cases despite positive tissue staining. Eight of those patients had limited stage I disease. The data suggests that although the tissue expression of the CA-125 and CEA antigens in invasive ovarian carcinoma has an important influence in the corresponding serum level, compartment barriers and low cell turnover in benign, and to a lesser extent borderline, cases result in low serum levels. In addition, other factors influence serum levels of CA-125, such as secondary peritoneal response with or without ascites, which may cause ‘falsely elevated’ CA-125 results in benign disease. ER -