Purpose: To analyse the possible prognostic importance of a combination of serum CA 125 levels, tumor cell DNA distribution and histopathologic grade in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
Method: The study included 41 patients with ovarian cancer stages II-IV. CA 125 was measured before the start of chemotherapy and after every course. The DNA distribution was analysed by flow cytometry in biopsy specimens from the primary tumour. The histopathologic grading was performed according to WHO criteria.
Results: The CA 125 level was of major prognostic significance. All patients with an abnormal value (> 35 U/ml) after three courses died within 16 months. The DNA distribution did not add significant prognostic information, but the histopathologic grade was of significant prognostic importance as investigated by Cox analysis.
Conclusion: CA 125 is an important prognostic marker in epithelial ovarian cancer. The value after three courses of chemotherapy is significant. The histopathologic grade adds further prognostic information.