A 34-year-old woman with known endometriosis has a serum CA-125 level of 85 U/mL. Which statement BEST describes the role of CA-125 in endometriosis?
- A CA-125 is elevated in advanced (Stage III/IV) endometriosis but lacks sensitivity for early-stage disease ✓
- B CA-125 is a specific diagnostic biomarker that confirms endometriosis without laparoscopy
- C CA-125 levels correlate linearly with pain severity across all stages
- D CA-125 is useful for screening the general population for endometriosis
Correct answer: A. CA-125 is elevated in advanced (Stage III/IV) endometriosis but lacks sensitivity for early-stage disease
Explanation
CA-125 is elevated in advanced-stage endometriosis (III/IV) but has poor sensitivity for minimal/mild disease (Stages I/II). It is NOT diagnostic, NOT recommended for screening, and does NOT correlate well with pain severity. It may be used to monitor treatment response or detect recurrence in known advanced disease. ESHRE 2022 guidelines do not recommend CA-125 for diagnosis.
Reference: ESHRE Guideline on Endometriosis 2022
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.