Do high levels of CA 19-9 in women with mature cystic teratomas of the ovary warrant further evaluation?

Purpose: To evaluate the serum levels of tumor markers (particularly CA 19-9) in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratomas (MCT) with respect to age, size, bilaterality, menopause, presence of adhesions, complications and the postoperative levels. Methods: We evaluated clinical characteristics and tumor markers of 157 patients with MCT of the ovary operated at our clinic. Results: CA 19-9 was the only tumor marker with a mean serum level (46.95 +/- 101.11 U/ml) above the cut-off value and the elevated rate was 33.1%. Tumor size, presence of adhesions and CA 125 levels were significantly higher in patients with elevated CA 19-9. Bilaterality rate was 10.8%. The most common complication was torsion (6.4%). Conclusion: We suggest that elevated levels of CA 19-9 may be expected in MCTs of the ovary and that they will probably be decreased postoperatively. Therefore, postponing evaluation of other possible sources of CA 19-9 elevation in asymptomatic and young patients is more common sense.

Tumor markers; CA 19-9; Mature cystic teratoma; Ovary; Adhesion

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