The role of tumor marker CA-125 in detection of ovarian cancer recurrence

Determination of the serum CA-125 antigen level is widely used in the monitoring and choice of the therapeutic policy for ovarian cancer patients. Changes in the CA-125 level are correlated with the clinical course of the disease in 87-94 % of cases. The reduction rate of the serum level of CA-125 antigen allows the adequate assessment of postoperative therapy response. A rise in CA-125 level requires more careful follow-up in order to detect clinical manifestations of recurrence as soon as possible. Currently, there are data that clinical signs of recurrence are indications for initiation of the second-line chemotherapy, because the earlier initiation of chemotherapy (therapy for marker recurrence) results no in survival improvement.