Cancer Antigen 125 during Pregnancy in Women without Ovarian Tumor Is Not Often Rising

Objective. To determine the percentage of rising serum cancer antigen (CA-125) in singleton pregnant women whose ultrasonographical findings were normal. Methods. Singleton pregnant women who received antenatal care at our institute with a normal ultrasonographical examination in their first and/or second trimester were invited to participate in blood testing for CA-125. The conditions that might affect the CA-125 level were excluded. The normal level of CA-125 was defined as <= 35 U/ml.Results. 136 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. Of these cases, 87 cases received a blood test for CA-125 in both their first and second trimesters while 46 and 3 cases received a blood test for CA-125 in only the first and second trimester, respectively. The median serum CA-125 levels in the first and second trimester were 16.44 (range 5.94-77.54) U/ml and 16.76 (range 5.26-35.81) U/ml, respectively. Only 9.1% of the studied patients showed an abnormal CA-125 level in the first trimester period and only one case showed an abnormal CA-125 level in the second trimester period. Conclusion. Few of normal pregnancies showed rising CA-125. Therefore, when it elevated in pregnant women, other causes such as the adnexal lesion should be investigated.