Urinary gonadotropin fragment, a new tumor marker. IV. Use in endometrial cancers and uterine mixed mullerian tumors

Gynecol Oncol. 1990 Dec;39(3):352-7. doi: 10.1016/0090-8258(90)90265-m.

Abstract

The use of urinary gonadotropin fragment (UGF) and CA-125 measurements was examined in the diagnosis and management of endometrial cancers and uterine mixed mullerian tumors. Using a cutoff of 3 fmole/ml for UGF, 37 of 63 (59%) patients with active cancer and 4 of 78 (5%) women with no evidence of disease after successful treatment had elevated levels of UGF. Similar results were obtained for CA-125 (cutoff greater than or equal to 35 U/ml) in the same patients, with elevated levels in 54% of patients with active disease and in 4% of patients with no evidence of disease. Sensitivities and mean values of UGF and CA-125 increased significantly with advancing stage and histologic grade of differentiation. Compared to patients with intrauterine disease only, patients with extra-uterine disease had a significant positivity rate and increased mean values for each tumor marker. The presence of lymph node metastases and levels of UGF showed a significant correlation; there was a significant relationship between CA-125 levels and positive cytology of peritoneal washing. Levels of UGF and CA-125 reflected the clinical courses of disease during therapy. During this study period, 85% of tumor recurrences could be anticipated before the clinical manifestation by elevated UGF and CA-125 levels. All patients who died of advanced or recurrent cancers had elevated levels of UGF and CA-125 before death and the mean values of both markers in these patients were significantly higher than those of both markers in the alive group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / metabolism
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / metabolism*
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / therapy
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Uterine Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Peptide Fragments
  • urinary gonadotropin fragment