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Ovary: Poster Abstract: Unusually high serum Ca 19-9 in a benign ovarian tumor
This article was originally published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
Abstract
Introduction:
Ovarian tumors have a varied spectrum of presentation. Tumors which look malignant clinico-biochemically can ultimately turn out to be benign. Tumor markers help in diagnosing various malignancies. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is one such marker seen to be elevated in some ovarian tumors.
Case:
A 55 year old, lean and thin postmenopausal female presented to Gynae OPD with abdominal mass, anorexia and weight loss developing over last 6 months. During workup, she was found to have unusually high Ca 19-9 along with MRI findings suggestive of ovarian tumor. Staging laparotomy followed by total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy was performed. Per operative findings were suggestive of benign nature of ovarian tumor of size 18× 20 cm. Patient was kept under follow up. Histopathology report showed benign mucinous cystadenoma. The serum levels of Ca19-9 returned to normal 8 weeks following surgery. This case report shows a rare and significant elevation of Ca19-9 levels with benign mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary, thus showing that women with unusually elevated tumor markers and even symptoms suggesting malignancy may actually harbour a benign disease.
Conclusion:
Unusually high Ca 19-9 may be associated with benign mucinous cystadenoma but thorough workup to rule out malignancy is a must in every case.
