Cancer Antigen-125 as a marker of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation between Cancer Antigen-25 (CA-125) levels with the amount of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. STUDY DESIGN Observational, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from March 2012 to February 2013. METHODOLOGY A total of 130 patients with liver cirrhosis (with and without ascites) had serum CA-125 levels measured. The amount of ascites was classified according to physical examination and ultrasound (USG) findings. CA-125 levels were compared and correlated with amount of ascites. RESULTS Majority of patients (57%) had hepatitis C virus and 60% were in class Child Pugh C. There was moderate correlation between amount of ascites and CA-125 levels (r = 0.642, p < 0.001) with significant raised levels of CA-125 in patients with ascites (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION There was a moderate correlation between CA-125 levels and presence and amount of ascites.