Usefulness and limits of CA-125 in diagnosis of endometriosis without associated ovarian endometriomas

Authors: Kitawaki, Jo; Ishihara, Hiroaki; Koshiba, Hisato; Kiyomizu, Miyo; Teramoto, Mariko; Kitaoka, Yui; Honjo, Hideo

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 20, Number 7, July 2005 , pp. 1999-2003(5)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $44.11 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of CA-125 for endometriosis without ovarian endometriomas. METHODS: Preoperative serum CA-125 levels were measured in 775 consecutive women diagnosed by laparoscopy or laparotomy with endometriosis, adenomyosis, leiomyomas, or normal pelvis. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for endometriosis without endometriomas was 0.788, significantly smaller than that for endometriosis with endometriomas (0.935, P<0.05). In diagnosis of endometriosis without endometriomas, both the maximal accuracy of 78.8% and the maximal diagnostic value of 61.2% were obtained at the cutoff value of 20 U/mL. Negative predictive value was 78.0% at the cutoff value of 20 U/mL, whereas positive predictive value was 92.9% at the cutoff value of 30 U/mL. This range is clearly superior to the empirical single cutoff of 35 U/mL. CONCLUSIONS: In the diagnosis of endometriosis without endometriomas, combined use of two cutoff values for CA-125, 20 and 30 U/mL, provides improved diagnostic performance. However, the accuracy of using only CA-125 testing for diagnosis is still limited. Serum CA-125 testing can be done during initial screenings of women with possible endometriosis.

Keywords: adenomyosis; CA-125; diagnosis; endometriosis; leiomyoma; ovarian endometriomas

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh890

Affiliations: 1: To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Jo Kitawaki, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan., Fax: +81-75-212-1265, Email: kitawaki@k

Publication date: 2005-07-01

More about this publication?

Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

Usefulness and limits of CA-125 in diagnosis of endometriosis without associated ovarian endometriomas

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages