Which biomarker is sometimes used as a tumor marker in endometrial cancer?

Which biomarker is sometimes used as a tumor marker in endometrial cancer?

• A. CA-125
• B. PSA
• C. HCG
• D. LDH

Answer: (A)

CA-125 is a marker often used to follow endometrial cancer. It’s a glycoprotein released by cells of the Müllerian tract and surrounding peritoneum, and levels tend to rise with greater tumor burden and peritoneal involvement. Because it can reflect how well treatment is working and help detect recurrence, CA-125 is the biomarker most commonly used in this setting, especially in more advanced disease. It’s not reliable enough to screen or diagnose on its own, since elevations can occur with benign conditions and other gynecologic issues, and some early-stage cancers may have normal CA-125. Compared to CA-125, other markers like PSA (prostate cancer), HCG (germ cell tumors and pregnancy), and LDH (nonspecific and elevated in many conditions) are not used for endometrial cancer monitoring.

CA-125 is a marker often used to follow endometrial cancer. It’s a glycoprotein released by cells of the Müllerian tract and surrounding peritoneum, and levels tend to rise with greater tumor burden and peritoneal involvement. Because it can reflect how well treatment is working and help detect recurrence, CA-125 is the biomarker most commonly used in this setting, especially in more advanced disease. It’s not reliable enough to screen or diagnose on its own, since elevations can occur with benign conditions and other gynecologic issues, and some early-stage cancers may have normal CA-125. Compared to CA-125, other markers like PSA (prostate cancer), HCG (germ cell tumors and pregnancy), and LDH (nonspecific and elevated in many conditions) are not used for endometrial cancer monitoring.