Ovarian Tumor Markers
Tumor markers are essential for diagnosis, staging, and monitoring response to therapy in ovarian malignancies. They are often classified by the tumor type they represent.
1. Key Markers by Tumor Type
| Tumor Type | Primary Marker(s) |
|---|---|
| Epithelial (Serous/Mucinous) | CA-125 |
| Yolk Sac Tumor | AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) |
| Dysgerminoma / Choriocarcinoma | hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) |
| Dysgerminoma | LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) |
2. Exam Must-Knows
- CA-125 Utility: Primarily used for monitoring disease recurrence and therapeutic response; it is not a reliable screening tool for the general population due to low specificity (can be elevated in endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease).
- Combined Markers: In younger patients presenting with an adnexal mass, always include a panel including AFP, hCG, and LDH to rule out germ cell tumors.
- Inhibin: Often elevated in Granulosa Cell Tumors; useful for tracking recurrence in that specific sex cord-stromal tumor.
Pathology Board Hint: For board exams, match the marker to the histology: AFP = Yolk Sac; hCG = Choriocarcinoma/Dysgerminoma. If a question describes a postmenopausal woman with a mass, think **CA-125** and epithelial malignancy. If a young patient has a mass, think **germ cell** markers.