[Preoperative levels of CA 125 and risk factors in adenocarcinoma of the endometrium]. / Livelli preoperatori del CA 125 e fattori di rischio nell'adenocarcinoma dell'endometrio.

Preoperative serum CA 125 levels were measured in 61 patients with various FIGO stage endometrial adenocarcinoma and they were compared with stage of disease, grading and pelvic lymph nodes involvement. Serum CA 125 levels in excess of 35 U/ml were detected in 19 patients (31.1%): circulating levels exceeding 65 U/ml were also found in 15 patients (24.5). Rising concentrations were associated with increasing stages. Grading and lymph nodes involvement were correlated with the presence of elevated serum levels (more than 65% for grade two or three and more than 80% in patients with positive lymph nodes). Preoperative high concentrations of CA 125 suggest the presence and the probability of advanced endometrial cancer. The cases with elevated CA 125 serum levels seems to be a higher risk for extrauterine tumor progression and lymphatic space invasion: the preoperative presence of the antigen imposes an accurate intraoperative surgical staging and a careful follow-up for preventing recurrence or metastases.