Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography and CA-125 in suspicious adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare diagnostic performance of color Doppler ultrasound and CA-125 in suspicious adnexal masses on B-mode sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 94 patients (mean age: 47.4 years, range: 17-79 years. Fifty-two (55.3%) premenopausal and 42 (44.7%) postmenopausal women) managed in our institution because of a suspicious adnexal mass were reviewed. All patients were evaluated by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography (CD) and serum CA-125 level determination prior to surgery. Definitive histopathological diagnosis was obtained in each case. Sonographic morphology evaluation was suspicious in all cases. CD was considered as suspicious when flow was detected and the lowest RI found was < or = 0.45. CA-125 cut-off was > or = 35 UI/ml. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each method and compared. ROC analysis was performed for RI and CA-125. Areas under curve (AUC) were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Fifty-six (59.6%) tumors were found to be malignant and 38 (40.4%) benign. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for CD were 87.5% (95% CIs: 75.3-94.4), 84.2% (95% CIs: 68.7-94), 89.1% (95% CIs: 77.7-95.9) and 82.1% (95% CIs: 66.5-92.5), respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for CA-125 were 83.9% (95% CIs: 71.7-92.4), 68.4% (95% CIs: 51.3-82.5), 79.7% (95% CIs: 66.2-89) and 74.3% (95% CIs: 56.7-87.5), respectively. Sensitivity, PPV and NPV were not statistically different. CD had higher specificity (P = 0.01). AUC curve for Doppler (0.75) was significantly higher than for CA-125 (0.61) (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that color Doppler ultrasound has a better diagnostic performance as compared with CA-125, being significantly more specific.     

Pelvic relapses in ovarian cancer. Role of CA-125, transvaginal ultrasound and color Doppler

From January 1995 to January 2001, 40 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated at our Institution. Fourteen of these, with a clinical CR after surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, were evaluated monthly by gynecological examination, Ca-125 RIA assay, pelvic ultrasound with transabdominal and transvaginal probe and color Doppler. Six pelvic relapses, from 1.5 to 3.0 cm, were detected by transvaginal ultrasound (US). They showed a rich neovascularization with low resistance, high flow, PI from 0.3 to 1.0 and RI < 0.5 in all cases. US did not reveal any sign of relapse in the remaining eight patients. In all cases of pelvic relapses ultrasonic signs of recurrence preceded the increase of Ca-125 by one to six months (average 3.8).     

CA-125 and ovarian hyperstimulation.

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has become more and more frequent in relation to the spread of the method of superovulation by means of pharmacologic induction and consequently the necessity of measures suitable for preventing and controlling it has been more and more improved. Among them the discovery of indicators which could reveal as early and sensitive as possible the onset and, when it is possible, also the degree of severity of this syndrome, holds an important position. Till now only the serum estradiol concentration performed this task, among the other things, in an incomplete and not-well defined manner, but its inadequacy has stimulated once again the search for new substances which would allow attention to be drawn to the development, entity and evolution of this syndrome in compliance with necessary requisites with greater timeliness, and tenacity. Therefore the behaviour of the serum CA-125 levels has been evaluated for the first time in 31 cycles of 31 patients, which were stimulated by gonadotropins (FSH, FSH/LH, HCG), of which 21 underwent ovarian hyperstimulation of various degree (10 of I, 8 of II and 3 of III grade), while the other 10 had no complications. The blood levels of this marker rose above the limit considered physiological (35 UI/ml) during the luteal phase in all the stimulated cycles and, in hyperstimulated ones always exceeded 70 UI/ml; in addition the serum CA-125 levels correlated very well with ovarian dimensions, degree of severity of the syndrome and estrogenic concentrations during only luteal phase, in the hyperstimulated cycles and continued to remain high or even increased in case of pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Conventional and color Doppler sonography in preoperative assessment of ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To study the vascular patterns of ovarian tumors by color Doppler imaging (CDI) and compare the findings of conventional sonographic studies and CDI with histopathologic findings for the same tumors. METHODS: Fifty nonpregnant women scheduled for elective surgery for ovarian tumors were examined by sonographic scanning and CDI by the same physician. Sonographic morphology scores [SMSs] were used, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were calculated after locating vessels in and around the tumors by CDI. RESULTS: It was possible to obtain CDI results in 26 of the 50 women. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100%, 71.43%, 73.33%, and 100%, respectively, for SMS. With CDI, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100%, 85.72%, 95%, and 100% for PI and 100%, 71.43%, 90.48%, and 100% for RI. RI sensitivity and specificity were identical to those of SMS, i.e., 100% and 71.43%, respectively, but PI specificity was better (85.72%). CONCLUSION: In this study, CDI was definitely better than SMS when color flow could be obtained through the tumors. The overall efficiency in diagnosing the nature of tumors is very high if SMS and CDI are both used in patients having ovarian tumors.     

Transvaginal Doppler ultrasound with color flow imaging in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Transvaginal Doppler ultrasound with color flow imaging is a new technique for the evaluation of gynecologic diseases. This method was used for the diagnosis of ovarian tumors in 24 women treated in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Hospital, Japan. Waveforms of the parenchymal tumor arteries or tumor surface arteries were compared using values of the pulsatility index (PI). The value for 1/PI was 0.69 +/- 0.05 in benign tumors and 1.87 +/- 0.65 in malignant tumors (P less than .01). When the cutoff value of 1/PI was set at 0.8 (cutoff value of PI was 1.25), the accuracy of diagnosis was 95.8% (23 of 24). Among 11 tumors with low CA 125 (less than 35 U/mL), all five malignant tumors had high 1/PI (above 0.8), and all benign tumors had low 1/PI (less than 0.8) or nondetectable waveforms. Based on the findings of this study, color flow Doppler proved to be useful for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.     

Ovarian thecoma with ascites and high serum levels of CA125

We report a 34-year-old woman with an ovarian thecoma and ascites who exhibited high serum levels of CA125. Measuring serum tumor markers and imaging are two important diagnostic tools for malignant ovarian tumors. In the present case, a preoperative diagnosis of benign ovarian tumor could not be made due to the elevation of CA125 (895 U/ml) and nonspecific MRI findings. Received: 8 June 1999 / Accepted: 30 August 1999     

Is CA-125 monitoring useful in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and preoperative negative CA-125 serum levels?

Between December 1983 and December 1988 we examined the postoperative tumor marker development and correlated this to the clinical course of the disease in 56 patients suffering from primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages I-III and with a preoperative CA-125 serum level less than or equal to 65 U/ml. In 54% of all cases there was a reduction of more than 50% of the CA-125 serum level within the first 3 months after surgery. Nine out of thirteen patients with progressive disease (69%) showed an increasing CA-125 serum level with a median lead time of 6 months (0-11 months) prior to clinical diagnosis. These preliminary results indicate that the monitoring of cancer patients with CA-125 tumor marker seems to be a useful method of early diagnosis of progressive disease even in patients with preoperative serum levels lower than 65 U/ml.     

Transvaginal sonography as a screening method for ovarian cancer

From November 1, 1987, to July 1, 1988, 506 asymptomatic patients 40 years or older underwent screening vaginal sonography at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Eligibility requirements included no known pelvic symptoms or clinical abnormalities, no history of pelvic radiation, and no history of ovarian cancer. Each ovary was measured in three planes and ovarian volume was calculated using the prolate ellipsoid formula. Ovarian morphology was classified as uniformly hypoechogenic, cystic, solid, or complex. The upper limit of normal for ovarian volume was 18 cm3 in premenopausal women and 8 cm3 in post-menopausal women. With respect to these criteria, 12 patients (2.4%) were noted to have abnormal sonograms, and 10 agreed to surgery. All 10 patients had ovarian tumors with dimensions equal to those predicted by ultrasound. These tumors included four serous cystadenomas, three endometriomas, two cystic teratomas, and one adenocarcinoma. Vaginal sonography is a relatively simple test that can detect subtle changes in ovarian size and morphology. Further evaluation of this test as a screening method for ovarian cancer should be performed in the setting of controlled clinical trials that emphasize cost control and strict patient follow-up.     

Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound for de novo ovarian carcinoma. How a good chance can be missed

Early de novo ovarian cancer is one of the most challenging entities in gynecologic oncology as early diagnosis is extremely difficult. We describe the case of a 77-year woman who had incidental diagnosis of normally shaped ovaries with low resistance blood flow. Despite the suspicious finding and despite the documentation of elevated serum CA 125 levels she did not undergo surgery. Twelve months later she was found with an enlarged ovary. Laparotomy documented a stage IIIB ovarian carcinoma. Lack of communication among subspecialists and incomplete acceptance of new diagnostic aids contributed to this disappointing case.     

Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma with ascites and elevated serum CA-125: case report and review of literature

Peritoneal tuberculosis is rare in the western world, although its incidence has been increasing in recent years. The presenting signs and symptoms, imaging examinations and CA-125 status in peritoneal tuberculosis may resemble that of ovarian carcinoma. Thus, the possibility of peritoneal tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma, especially in women immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. A case of peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma in a young woman immigrant from India is described. The patient presented with ascites, abdominopelvic masses and elevated serum CA-125 (1,081 U/ml). Laparoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis and no malignancy, and thereby unnecessary extended surgery was avoided. Following treatment with the 4-drug anti-tuberculosis regimen, the patient recovered with disappearance of ascites and abdominopelvic masses, and return of CA-125 to normal range. It is concluded that laparoscopy, if feasible, seems to be a sufficient and safe method to provide diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis.     

The role of serum CA-125 levels and CA-125 tissue expression positivity in the prediction of the recurrence of stage III and IV epithelial ovarian tumors (CA-125 levels and tissue CA-125 in ovarian tumors)

Purpose  

The present study investigates the effects of serum CA-125 level and CA-125 tissue positivity on first-year recurrences in patients with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian tumors.     

彩色多普勒阴道超声对诊断恶性畸胎瘤的价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒阴道超声及血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）测定对诊断恶性畸胎瘤的价值。方法对2000年～2005年我院收治畸胎瘤患者465例，其中未成熟畸胎瘤13例，成熟畸胎瘤恶变3例，进行回顾性分析，着重探讨彩色多普勒阴道超声下肿物声像图特征及血流情况。部分患者进行了血清AFP测定。结果彩色多普勒阴道超声术前诊断恶性畸胎瘤及恶性卵巢肿瘤10例（10／16），符合率62．5％。未成熟畸胎瘤组9例进行了AFP测定，阳性6／9例（66．7％）；在成熟畸胎瘤恶变3例患者中，AFP均为阴性。结论彩色多普勒超声对恶性畸胎瘤诊断符合率较高，结合血清AFP含量测定，有助于对未成熟畸胎瘤，畸胎瘤恶变及卵黄囊瘤的鉴别。     

Correlation between platelet count and CA-125 in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a correlation between platelet count and CA-125 exists, and to compare the mean levels of CA-125 in groups with normal and elevated platelet counts. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the medical records concerning to 31 ovarian cancer inpatients, treated 1998-2002 with primary surgery and subsequent platinum-based chemotherapy at the Division of Gynecology, Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, University Medical School Poznań. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 137 serum and whole blood samples collected from 31 ovarian cancer patients during their consecutive hospital stays. RESULTS: There was a positive, moderate (r = 0.49) and highly significant (p < 0.0000001) correlation between platelet count and CA-125 levels. Thrombocytosis occurred in 45% patients before treatment, and in none when the 6th course of chemotherapy was given. In the thrombocytosis group, an average CA-125 level (913.5 U/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.00001) then in the group with normal platelet count (103.7 U/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Platelet count and CA-125 levels do correlate in blood samples taken from ovarian cancer patients at the same time.     

Correlation between peripheral CA-125 levels and ovarian activity

Serum CA-125 concentrations were measured at three different times in normal cycles, pill-suppressed cycles, and cycles stimulated for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or oocyte retrieval, i.e., (1) during the first half of the cycle, (2) at midcycle or at the moment of oocyte retrieval, and (3) the second half of the cycle. Significant variations of serum CA-125 concentrations were not seen during the cycle in normally cycling women or in women taking oral contraceptives: mean +/- SD 28.9 +/- 13.3 U/mL and 26.9 +/- 11.3 U/mL, respectively. In patients stimulated for in vitro fertilization, luteal phase CA-125 levels (60.6 +/- 38 U/mL) were significantly higher than during stimulation (21.5 +/- 5.9 U/mL) or at oocyte retrieval (19.6 +/- 6.4 U/mL). In stimulated cycles for IUI, without laparoscopy or follicular puncture, a comparable rise of CA-125 was observed in the luteal phase (49.6 +/- 37.8 U/mL). However, in patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilization, serum CA-125 concentrations before and after laparoscopy were not significantly different (22.8 +/- 6.3 U/mL and 25 +/- 4.2 U/mL, respectively).     

Cystic struma ovarii presenting with ascites and an elevated CA-125 level. A case report

BACKGROUND: Struma ovarii is a monodermal teratoma that usually presents as a solid pelvic mass. Occasionally the lesions are cystic. Rare cases present with ascites or pseudo-Meigs' syndrome. The association of a cystic struma ovarii with ascites and an elevated CA-125 level is exceptionally rare. CASE: A 51-year-old woman presented with ascites and a cystic pelvic mass. There was marked elevation of her CA-125 level. The clinical impression was ovarian carcinoma. Frozen section revealed a multicystic struma ovarii. CONCLUSION: Struma ovarii can mimic ovarian carcinoma clinically, particularly if cystic and associated with ascites and an elevated CA-125 level.