A contemporary analysis of the ability of preoperative serum CA-125 to predict primary cytoreductive outcome in patients with advanced ovarian, tubal and peritoneal carcinoma

ObjectiveWe previously reported that preoperative CA-125 may predict primary cytoreductive outcome in patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma (OC). The objective of this study was to perform a contemporary analysis of the ability of CA-125 to predict cytoreductive outcome in advanced OC since our programmatic change in surgical approach that currently incorporates the utilization of extensive upper abdominal procedures, as needed, to achieve maximal cytoreduction.MethodsWe reviewed the records of all patients with advanced ovarian, tubal or peritoneal carcinoma who underwent primary cytoreduction at our institution between 1/01 and 4/05.ResultsThe study cohort included 277 patients. Primary disease sites were: ovary, 232 (84%); tubal, 9 (3%); and peritoneum, 36 (13%). Stages were: IIIA, 6 (2%); IIIB, 12 (4%); IIIC, 215 (78%); and IV, 44 (16%). Tumor grades were: grade 1, 6 (2%); grade 2, 30 (11%); grade 3, 233 (84%), and undifferentiated, 8 (3%). Cytoreductive outcomes were: no gross residual disease (RD), 68 (25%); ≤ 1 cm RD, 153 (55%); and > cm RD, 56 (20%). There was no threshold CA-125 level that accurately predicted cytoreductive outcome. However, with CA-125 values > 500 U/mL, 50% (57/113) of patients required extensive upper abdominal surgery to achieve RD ≤ 1 cm, compared to 27% (25/93) for those with CA-125 < 500 U/mL (P = 0.001).ConclusionFollowing our change in surgical paradigm that the incorporated extensive upper abdominal procedures to attain optimal debulking, preoperative CA-125 did not predict the primary cytoreductive outcome of patients with advanced ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal carcinoma. However, with a preoperative CA-125 > 500 U/mL, extensive upper abdominal procedures were necessary in 50% of cases to achieve residual disease ≤ 1 cm. These data may be useful as part of preoperative surgical counseling and planning.