Elevated CA 19-9 Levels in Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Ovary

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of serum tumor markers in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT). We retrospectively evaluated 163 women who underwent surgery for MCT of the ovary between March 2003 and August 2007 and who provided preoperative blood samples for the measurement of CA 19-9 and CA 125. The rates of elevated serum CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels were 31.9% (52/163) and 13.5% (22/163), respectively. The rate of ovarian torsion was 12.9% (21/163). There were significant differences between the elevated CA 19-9 group and the normal CA 19-9 group in the diameters of the tumors and the rates of ovarian torsion. Elevated serum CA 19-9 levels correlated with larger tumor diameters and higher torsion rates. CA 19-9 may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of ovarian MCT. Elevated CA 19-9 levels appear to correlate with larger tumor diameters and higher rates of ovarian torsion.

CA 19-9 Elevation in a Benign Ovarian Cystic Teratoma, A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…This retrospective investigation found that CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels were elevated in 31.9% and 12.5% of cases, respectively. In addition, CA 19-9 levels correlated with larger tumor diameters and elevated torsion rates [1]. Abiding by Kyung et al's [1] hypothesis, our patient also exhibited large tumor size, significant torsion, and high CA 19-9 level (2179.62 U/mL).…”

“…In 2009 a study by Kyung et al [1] hypothesized that CA 19-9 could be a predictor of ovarian torsion and the extent of cystic necrosis. This retrospective investigation found that CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels were elevated in 31.9% and 12.5% of cases, respectively.…”

“…In general, the accepted normal reference range of CA 19-9 is <37 U/mL. Aside from a handful of case reports [1][2][3][4][5] and larger analyses [5][6][7] the association between elevated CA 19-9 level and Mature Cystic Teratoma (MCT) is scarcely reported. Yet, CA 19-9's role in diagnosis remains unclear.…”

“…Yet, CA 19-9's role in diagnosis remains unclear. CA 19-9 may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of MCT, as well as a possible predictor of larger tumor diameter and increased rate of torsion [1,8]. In combination with CA125 it may also prove to be important in differentiating between MCT and ovarian cancer [9].…”

Unusually High Serum Levels of CA 19-9 in an Ovarian Tumour: Malignant or Benign?

“…It has been widely studied and reported in association with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary where unusually high levels have been reported [7][8][9].…”