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CA 125 is a very non specific assay. We have shown it to be elevated in most patients (male and female) withCCF. It is also raised in haemodialysis patients with serous fluids (Gyn. Oncol 77, 254-257 (2000), etc. That is why we try to encourage its use only for monitoring Ca ovary, not for fishing exercises. Even then one has to be cautious with interpretation - eg patients with Ca ovary AND CCF -----Original Message----- From: Julian Barth [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 05 December 2001 10:05 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: help with CA 125 interpretation please I would be most grateful for any advice regarding the interpretation of CA125 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A 62 yr old female presented with Stage 1a carcinoma ovary approx 3-4 years ago. Over the last year she has been noted to have a rising CA125. The only abnormality detected radiologically is some right basal pleural thickening / very small effusion and some subtle questionable changes on the diaphragmatic/liver surface on CT scan which an MRI has failed to define further. Meanwhile she continues to have quite active rheumatoid with significant knee effusions and synovial thickening in other joints. Apparently she has had some low grade pleural changes for quite a while. date CA125 (Nichols Advantage) 26.5.00 53 4.9.00 68 16.1.01 68 20.03.01 94 21.05.01 89 17.08.01 135 21.09.01 177 19.11.01 235 Can the steady rise be attributed to serous fluids and rheumatoid thickening or is this evidence for the initiation of chemotherapy for the ovarian cancer? Many thanks Julian ___________________________________________________ Julian H Barth Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Leeds General Infirmary Leeds LS1 3EX tel 0113-392-3416 fax 0113-392-5174 ___________________________________________________