Abstract
Background: The tumor marker CA 125 is commonly used in the screening and diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. However, recent studies have proven a limited role for CA 125 as a diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer. Moreover, it is often elevated in non-cancerous and inflammatory conditions as well. Aims: To evaluate the utility of CA 125 in the workup of intestinal tuberculosis/ tuberculous peritonitis in female patients. Methods: In this observational study, patients with ascites were divided into two groups; tuberculous (group A), and non-tuberculous (group B). Each group had serum CA 125 measured and compared using independent sample t-test. CA 125 was correlated with ESR by using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: CA 125 was higher in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. (N=20, M=117.75, SD=35.95), than in patients without tuberculous peritonitis, (N=20, M=49.65, SD=25.28). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant, t (38)=6.93, p<0.001, Cohen’s D=2.20. Furthermore, CA 125 correlated positively with ESR, r=0.73, p<0.001. Conclusion: Tuberculous peritonitis must be considered in the differential diagnoses of patients with elevated CA 125 levels. Moreover, CA 125 correlates with the severity of peritonitis.
Highlights
The tumor marker Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) is commonly used in the screening and diagnosis of ovarian malignancy
CA 125 was higher in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. (N=20, M=117.75, SD=35.95), than in patients without tuberculous peritonitis, (N=20, M=49.65, SD=25.28)
Tuberculous peritonitis must be considered in the differential diagnoses of patients with elevated CA 125 levels
Summary
The tumor marker CA 125 is commonly used in the screening and diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. Recent studies have proven a limited role for CA 125 as a diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer. It is often elevated in non-cancerous and inflammatory conditions as well. The popularity of CA 125 in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer has rapidly declined [1,2,3]. This is because, CA 125 is often elevated in a variety of other non-ovarian conditions namely; pregnancy, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and so forth. As tuberculous peritonitis manifests in the form of ascites, abdominal pain, abdominal mass and elevation of serum CA-125, it can be confused with ovarian malignancies [9]
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