During a routine check-up, a healthcare provider finds that a patient has an elevated CA-125 level. What condition should be primarily considered?
- (a) Endometriosis
- (b) Ovarian Cancer ✓
- (c) Uterine Fibroids
- (d) Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
CA-125, or cancer antigen 125, is a protein that is often found in higher concentrations in the blood of women with certain conditions, particularly those related to the reproductive system. It is primarily used as a tumor marker for ovarian cancer but can also be elevated in other conditions.
Conditions Associated with Elevated CA-125 Levels
- Ovarian Cancer: This is the most significant condition associated with elevated CA-125 levels. Studies have shown that approximately 80% of women with ovarian cancer will have elevated CA-125 levels at some point during their illness. The elevation of this marker can be particularly relevant in postmenopausal women or those with risk factors for ovarian cancer.
- Endometriosis: This condition can also lead to increased CA-125 levels, although it is less specific than ovarian cancer. Endometriosis involves the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and can cause pelvic pain and other symptoms.
- Uterine Fibroids: These benign tumors of the uterus may cause an increase in CA-125 levels, but they are not typically associated with significantly high elevations compared to ovarian cancer.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID can also result in elevated CA-125 levels due to inflammation; however, this elevation is usually not as pronounced as that seen in ovarian cancer.
Primary Consideration
Given that elevated CA-125 levels are most commonly associated with ovarian cancer, especially when considering a differential diagnosis during a routine check-up, it is crucial for healthcare providers to prioritize this condition. While other conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids can elevate CA-125 levels, they do not carry the same level of concern regarding malignancy as ovarian cancer does.
In summary, when faced with an elevated CA-125 level during a routine check-up, the primary condition that should be considered is:
(b) Ovarian Cancer
