Serum CA-125 is LEAST useful as a primary diagnostic marker for which of the following ovarian tumour subtypes?

• A Mucinous ovarian carcinoma ✓
• B High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma
• C Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma
• D Clear cell ovarian carcinoma

Explanation

CA-125 is elevated in approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers but is significantly less sensitive for mucinous tumours, where CEA is often a more useful marker. High-grade serous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinomas are more likely to express CA-125. This distinction is clinically important when choosing tumour markers for monitoring.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.