Tumor markers panel and tumor size of ovarian dermoid tumors in reproductive age

Abstract

Objective: To study whether there is any relationship between a serum tumor markers panel (CA19-9, CA 125, CEA, CA15-3 and AFP) and the tumor size in patients with ovarian dermoid cyst in reproductive age. Background: Between January 2006-2007, 160 patients were operated in the Department of Infertility, Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Hospital due to ovarian dermoid cyst. Methods: The clinical data and serum tumor markers levels of operated patients were retrieved from the records of the department. This was a retrospective study. Results: Forty-four patients (37.6 %) had high levels of CA 19-9, twenty-seven patients (19.3 %) had high CA 125 levels, eleven patients (9.4 %) had high levels of CEA, five patients (4 %) had high levels of CA 15-3 and one patient (0.9 %) had high AFP levels at the time of initial surgery. The bilaterality rate was 8.1 %. When grouping the tumor size as <4 cm, 4.1-10 cm and >10 cm, the mean serum levels of tumor markers had significantly increased by increasing the tumor size (p<0.05) for CA 19-9, CA 125, CEA. Conclusions: Our study suggests that serum CA 19-9 is probably more accurate marker than other tumor markers in the ovarian dermoid cysts. Also, the most important parameter that affects CA 19-9 elevation in the dermoid cysts, is the tumor size. As the tumor becomes bigger, this relationship becomes more distinct.