The Relationship of Tumor Marker Panel with Tumor Size and Histopathological Results in Borderline Ovarian Tumor

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective, cross-sectional, and single-center study aimed to explore the correlation between preoperative tumor marker panel levels, tumor size, and histopathological features in borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs). Methods: Sixty-seven patients, with confirmed pathologic results indicating BOTs, were included. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of surgery performed (comprehensive surgery and fertility-sparing surgery). The evaluation encompassed parameters such as tumor size, tumor laterality, histopathological tumor type, and other clinicopathological features. Results: Preoperatively, 32 patients (47.7%) exhibited high cancer antigen (CA)-125, 13 patients (19.4%) high CA 19-9, 3 patients (4.4%) high CA 15-3, 7 patients (10.4%) high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and 2 patients (2.9%) high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. A statistically significant correlation was observed between tumor size and elevated CEA values (p=0.010). However, no significant correlations were found between tumor size and CA-125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, and AFP levels. Histopathological types showed a significant correlation with mean tumor diameter; serous, mucinous, and seromucinous (mixed) types had mean tumor diameters of 10.14 +/- 4.58 cm, 19.35 +/- 9.23 cm, and 10.67 +/- 6.17 cm, respectively (p=0.001). Conclusion: Elevated tumor marker levels, especially CEA, may indicate larger tumor sizes, with mucinous BOTs being more associated with larger diameters. However, preoperative increases in tumor marker levels do not reliably predict histopathological typing for clinicians.