The value of CA-125 levels in the management of endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy in North America. CA-125, a glycoprotein tumor marker extensively used in the management of ovarian malignancies, has recently been found to be elevated in a significant number of cases of endometrial carcinoma. A preoperative CA-125 level has been shown to be valuable in the assessment of extrauterine disease. This information may be used to tailor an individualized treatment plan for a given patient. The preoperative CA-125 level has also been shown to prognosticate survival. During the follow-up of a patient with high risk surgical pathological findings, a rise in CA-125 must be considered as an indicator of the need to initiate investigation for clinical evidence of recurrent disease.