[Cancer antigen 125 as a marker of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is usually used to monitor the course of epithelial ovarian cancer. It has recently been reported that liver cirrhosis is associated with elevated serum CA-125, especially in the presence of ascites. The aim of the study was to evaluate CA-125 as a marker of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. Seventy-two (72) patients with liver cirrhosis of different aetiology were studied. Ca-125 levels were measured in stored serum collected from the patients. Ca-125 concentrations were elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, irrespective of patients' sex and cirrhosis aetiology. CA-125 concentrations were normal in cases of liver cirrhosis without ascites. Elevated cancer antigen 125 is a sensitive marker of cirrhotic ascites. An inappropriate use of this test in cases of liver cirrhosis in females may suggest the ovarian cancer incident and lead to unnecessary surgical intervention.