Clinical utility of CA 125 in preoperative diagnosis of patients with pelvic masses.

The preoperative prediction of whether a pelvic mass is benign or malignant is of great clinical use. Ultrasound examinations have become increasingly popular but despite this remains problematic. It is discussed whether or not preoperative serum CA 125 levels may be of value in differentiating between a benign and a malignant pelvic mass. When the results of the CA 125 assay are added to any other diagnostic test in the postmenopausal patient, predictive values approach 100%. Utilizing CA 125 levels, a workup scheme may be developed and an operative intervention may be in order based on a high degree of preoperative diagnostic accuracy.