Enliven: Gynecology and Obstetrics

Serum CEA, CA-125, CA-15-3 and CA19-9 Levels as A Diagnostic Test for Endometriosis
Author(s): Pados George, Tsolakidis Dimitrios, Hatzis Dimitrios, Zournatzi Vasiliki, Athanatos Dimitrios, and Tarlatzis Basil

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of serum CEA, CA-125, CA15-3 and CA19-9 levels in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Methods:
58 infertile women, 38 of whom exhibited endometriosis, underwent laparoscopy. Patients were divided into three groups: group (A) consisted of 20
patients with stage I or II endometriosis; group (B) consisted of 18 patients with stage III or IV endometriosis and group (C) consisted of 20 patients
who were the control group. All patients were submitted to serum determination of CEA, CA-125, CA15-3 and CA19-9. Results: CA-125 serum
concentrations were significantly increased in the group B (p<0.05), while the levels of the other serum markers did not show any statistically significant
difference.

Conclusion:
In patients with advanced endometriosis, there is an increase of CA- 125 levels compared with minor endometriosis and control women. On the contrary,
neither CEA, nor CA15-3 and CA19-9 may serve as an indicator of the disease.