A 48-year-old woman is being followed after treatment for a serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Which serum marker is most appropriate for monitoring her disease course?
- A CA-125 ✓
- B CA 19-9
- C Calcitonin
- D Neuron-specific enolase
Correct answer: A. CA-125
Explanation
CA-125 is the standard serum marker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma, particularly the serous type, and is used to follow treatment response and detect recurrence. It is also elevated in endometriosis, pregnancy, menstruation, and cirrhosis, so it has no role as a standalone screening test. CA 19-9 tracks pancreatic and biliary cancers, calcitonin marks medullary thyroid carcinoma, and neuron-specific enolase marks neuroendocrine tumors such as small cell lung carcinoma.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.