The Diagnostic Superiority of the HE-4 Marker over CA-125 and CA 19-9 in the Differentiation of a Large Pelvic Tumor – a Case Report. Issue 1 (January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chudecka-Głaz, Anita; Menkiszak, Janusz; Cymbaluk-Płoska, Aneta; Rutkowski, Donald; Kawa, Miłosz; Wilk, Grażyna
• Is Part Of: Journal of endometriosis and pelvic pain disorders. Volume 5:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2013-01
• Subjects: Differential diagnosis -- Endometriosis -- HE 4 -- Tumor markers; Endometriosis -- Periodicals; Pelvic pain -- Periodicals; 618.1
• DOI: 10.5301/JE.5000150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2284-0265

Abstract

The HE-4 protein is a promising specific marker for the diagnosis of malignant pelvic tumors. The paper presents the case of a 41-year-old patient with a multi-chamber ovarian tumor several centimeters in diameter suspected to be a primary ovarian cancer or a metastatic one of gastrointestinal origin. The value of the HE-4 marker which is highly specific for an ovarian cancer was within normal limits and amounted to 24.33 pmol/L. The patient underwent surgery involving the unilateral removal of adnexa and the greater omentum during which the sample from the second ovary was collected. Histologic examination revealed ovarian endometriosis; however, diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract did not reveal any abnormalities. The case presented also confirms the excellent sensitivity of the HE-4 marker in very difficult clinical cases, as well as its utility in the differential diagnosis of advanced endometriosis and malignant ovarian diseases.