Peri- and postoperative changes in serum levels of four tumor markers and three acute phase reactants in benign and malignant gynecological diseases

Summary Serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 125, tissue polypeptide antigen, CRP, α₁-antitrypsin and haptoglobin were determined peri- and postoperatively in patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecological disease (n=18) and postoperatively in women operated for cervical carcinoma (n=23). The only significant changes seen after premedication, during anesthesia and during surgery were a decrease in serum concentrations of α₁-antitrypsin and haptoglobin. We found no post-operative changes in the serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen nor in carcinoembryonic antigen values. However, the latter analyte was influenced by smoking habits. Elevated levels of CA 125 and tissue polypeptide antigen were found in the cancer patients, predominantly within the first 1–3 weeks after surgery. These levels decreased to normal values within 4–6 weeks postoperatively. The median intraindividual coefficients of variation for the tumor markers ranged between 15% and 28% in 30 control women not having surgery. In general, it would seem advisable to wait 6 weeks after surgery before monitoring with CA 125 and TPA is started.