CA-19-9 as an Emerging Marker of Ovarian Tumour: A Rare Entity

Abstract

Tumour markers are widely used in clinical practice for diagnosis; follow-up, prognosis and to predict recurrence of certain malignancies. Markers for ovarian cancer include CA-125 antigen, CA-15-3 antigen, and Carcino-Embryonic Antigen (CEA). CA19-9 antigen is usually elevated in malignancies including colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma but significantly raised levels of <10,000 U/mL were seen in advanced stage of gastrointestinal malignancy. A reported case of 60-year-old female who had abnormally high levels of CA19-9 in the blood associated with mucinous carcinoma right ovary invasive endocervical type. At one month post surgery CA 19-9 dropped significantly. There are few case reports which have shown an association of raised CA19-9 with benign pathology but the present case is first case showing such high levels of CA19-9 associated with mucinous carcinoma of ovary. This highlights the fact that although CA19-9 is a marker of gastrointestinal malignancy; thorough evaluation to rule out ovarian malignancy in suspected cases should be done.

Keywords

• cancer antigen 125 (ca-125)
• cancer antigen 15-3 (ca 15-3)
• mucinous carcinoma