The value of preoperative serum CA 125 levels in patients with a pelvic mass

Serum CA 125 measurements were obtained before operation in 250 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of a pelvic mass. We examined and operated on all patients. Elevated preoperative serum CA 125 levels were more predictive of malignancy in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women (0.86 vs 0.67), but normal levels did not preclude malignancy in either group. Possible limitations of routine measurement of serum CA 125 in the work-up of patients with a pelvic mass are discussed.