What are tumour markers?

Ann Oncol. 2006 Aug;17(8):1234-8.

CA 125 half-life and CA 125 nadir during induction chemotherapy are independent predictors of epithelial ovarian cancer outcome: results of a French multicentric study.

Riedinger JM,Wafflart J,Ricolleau G,Eche N,Larbre H,Basuyau JP,Dalifard I,Hacene K, Pichon MF.

Laboratoire de Biologie Medicale, Centre GF. Leclerc, Dijon, France. jriedinger@dijon.fnclcc.fr

Background:

CA 125 assays enable treatment-response monitoring in ovarian cancer.

Patients and

Methods:

A multicentric study of CA 125 kinetics under induction chemotherapy was performed in 631 patients. CA 125 half-life was calculated by mono-compartmental logarithmic regression. Nadir CA 125 concentration and time to nadir were also studied. Survival analyses for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) used univariate (Kaplan-Meier) and multivariate (Cox) models.

Results:

For 553 stage IIC-IV patients, 459 (83.0%) relapsed and 444 (80.3%) died from cancer. Median (range) follow up time was 32 months (2-214 months). Median (range) for CA 125 kinetics were: 263 kU/l (5-52000 kU/l) before 1st course, 15.8 days (4.5-417.9 days) for CA 125 half-life, 16 kU/l (3-2610 kU/l) for nadir and 85 days (0-361 days) for time to nadir. Pre-chemotherapy CA 125, its half-life, nadir concentration and time to nadir all had a univariate prognostic value for DFS and OS (P<0.0001). In Cox models, CA 125 half-life, residual tumour (P<0.0001 for both), nadir concentration (P=0.0002) and stage (P=0.0118) were the most powerful prognostic factors for DFS. For OS, the significant variables were similar, with age ranking last (P=0.0319).

Conclusion:

Among well-established prognostic factors in ovarian cancers, CA 125 half-life and nadir concentration bear a strong and independent prognostic value.

Women's Health

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1 What is cancer (malignancy)
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5 What causes cancer?
6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?

Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.
9 What are screening tests?
10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
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13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
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Cancer of the Cervix.
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22 How does endometrial cancer present?
22a How can endometrial cancer be prevented?
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Cancer of the Ovary.
23 How does ovarian cancer present?
24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
25 What are tumour markers?
26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?

The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers
32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?
Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube
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42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
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Web sites and Support Groups
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45 Support Groups.
46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
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49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.

What are tumour markers?

Background:

Patients and

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.

Cancer of the Cervix.

Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)

Cancer of the Ovary.

The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers

Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube

Breast Cancer

Web sites and Support Groups