CA 125: a potential tumor marker for gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND: CA 125 is a glycoprotein and a commonly used tumor marker in ovarian carcinoma. Its use in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) has not yet been reported. We have henceforth examined for the first time the diagnostic utility of CA 125 in patients with gallbladder diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum CA 125 was measured in 64 patients with GBC, 47 Gallstone disease (GSD) and 23 healthy volunteers by ELISA. CA 125 level was compared between different cohorts by non-parametric test (Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney test). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to see the diagnostic utility of CA 125. Its level was also correlated with age, sex and clinico-pathological parameters of the patients included in the study. RESULTS: Mean value of CA 125 in patients with GBC, GSD and healthy volunteers was 77.44 +/- 141.31 U/ml, 7.85 +/- 5.40 U/ml, and 8.08 +/- 3.26 U/ml respectively and showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). CA 125 at cut off value of 11 U/ml yielded 64% sensitivity and 90% specificity in differentiating benign from malignant gallbladder disease. CA 125 level increased with stage and grade of the GBC though this was not statistically significant. A higher level of CA 125 was found in presence of gallbladder mass, weight loss, ascites and loss of appetite compared to patients with GSD. No association of CA 125 was apparent with either age or sex of the patients. CONCLUSION: CA 125 has a diagnostic potential for GBC and can differentiate GBC from GSD in light of other clinical details.