The Importance of Tumor Markers in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 4 views

Sensitivity and Specificity of Human Epididymis Protein-4 (HE4) and Ca125 Cancer Antigens as Benign and Malignant Ovarian Biomarkers in RSUP. H. Adam Malik Medan

Introduction

Ovarian tumors are a type of cancer that affects the ovaries, and they are often difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Accurate monitoring and diagnosis are crucial to reduce mortality due to ovarian cancer. In recent years, tumor markers such as human epididymis protein-4 (HE4) and CA125 cancer antigens have been used to detect and diagnose ovarian tumors. This study aims to assess the sensitivity and specificity of Serum HE4 and CA125 as a biomarker to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian tumors in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.

The Importance of Tumor Markers in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Tumor markers are substances produced by cancer cells or in response to cancer. They can be found in the blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. In the case of ovarian cancer, tumor markers such as HE4 and CA125 are used to detect and diagnose the disease. These markers can help identify individuals who are at risk of developing ovarian cancer, and they can also be used to monitor the progression of the disease.

Research Methodology

This study was conducted with an observational method and involved 64 women who met the inclusion criteria, divided into two groups: 32 women with benign ovarian tumors and 32 women with malignant ovarian tumors. The study took place from December 2011 to April 2012 at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan and Prodia Laboratory. Through a diagnostic approach, data was obtained from serum taken from participants, with the aim of determining the threshold value and measuring the sensitivity and specificity of each tumor marker.

Research Result

From the analysis conducted, the cut off point value for CA125 was 96.1 U/ml, which showed a sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 78.1%. Meanwhile, HE4 shows a cut off point of 66.5 pm with sensitivity and specificity of 75% respectively. These results indicate that the CA125 has a better diagnostic value than HE4 in distinguishing the type of ovarian tumor.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of the CA125 is superior to HE4. Nevertheless, the use of HE4 which as a tumor marker shows a weak performance in establishing the diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors. Therefore, researchers suggest to combine HE4 with other tumor markers that can increase the accuracy of diagnosis. This step is expected to improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

The Importance of Further Research

Ovarian tumors are often difficult to diagnose in the early stages, so that accurate monitoring and diagnosis is very important. Good sensitivity and specificity in tumor markers can increase early detection and reduce mortality due to ovarian cancer. Therefore, further research and the application of a combination approach with other tumor markers is needed to increase the results of the detection and handling of this disease.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the general population. Secondly, the study was conducted in a single hospital, which may not be generalizable to other hospitals. Finally, the study only used two tumor markers, which may not be sufficient to accurately diagnose ovarian cancer.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include more hospitals to improve the generalizability of the results. Additionally, more tumor markers should be used to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Furthermore, studies should aim to identify the optimal combination of tumor markers that can improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that the sensitivity and specificity of the CA125 is superior to HE4 in distinguishing the type of ovarian tumor. However, the use of HE4 as a tumor marker shows a weak performance in establishing the diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors. Therefore, researchers suggest to combine HE4 with other tumor markers that can increase the accuracy of diagnosis. This step is expected to improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research should be conducted to increase the sample size and include more hospitals to improve the generalizability of the results.
More tumor markers should be used to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.
Studies should aim to identify the optimal combination of tumor markers that can improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.
The use of HE4 as a tumor marker should be combined with other tumor markers to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

Keywords

Sensitivity
Specificity
Cut off point
HE-4
Ca-125
Ovarian tumor

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

[Appendix containing additional information or data that is not included in the main body of the study]

Abstract

This study aims to assess the sensitivity and specificity of Serum HE4 and CA125 as a biomarker to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian tumors in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan. The study involved 64 women who met the inclusion criteria, divided into two groups: 32 women with benign ovarian tumors and 32 women with malignant ovarian tumors. The results showed that the CA125 has a better diagnostic value than HE4 in distinguishing the type of ovarian tumor. Therefore, researchers suggest to combine HE4 with other tumor markers that can increase the accuracy of diagnosis. This step is expected to improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.
Q&A: Sensitivity and Specificity of Human Epididymis Protein-4 (HE4) and Ca125 Cancer Antigens as Benign and Malignant Ovarian Biomarkers

Q: What are HE4 and CA125, and how are they used in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer?

A: HE4 and CA125 are tumor markers that are used to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer. They are substances produced by cancer cells or in response to cancer, and they can be found in the blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. These markers can help identify individuals who are at risk of developing ovarian cancer, and they can also be used to monitor the progression of the disease.

Q: What is the difference between sensitivity and specificity in the context of tumor markers?

A: Sensitivity refers to the ability of a tumor marker to detect all cases of a particular disease, while specificity refers to the ability of a tumor marker to detect only cases of a particular disease and not false positives. In other words, sensitivity measures how well a tumor marker can detect true positives, while specificity measures how well a tumor marker can avoid false positives.

Q: What are the results of the study on the sensitivity and specificity of HE4 and CA125 in distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors?

A: The study found that the CA125 has a better diagnostic value than HE4 in distinguishing the type of ovarian tumor. The CA125 showed a sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 78.1%, while the HE4 showed a sensitivity and specificity of 75% respectively.

Q: What are the limitations of the study, and how can they be addressed in future research?

A: The study has several limitations, including a relatively small sample size and the use of only two tumor markers. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include more hospitals to improve the generalizability of the results. Additionally, more tumor markers should be used to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer?

A: The study's findings suggest that the use of HE4 as a tumor marker may not be sufficient to accurately diagnose ovarian cancer. Therefore, researchers suggest combining HE4 with other tumor markers to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. This step is expected to improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

Q: What are the next steps in research on the sensitivity and specificity of HE4 and CA125 in distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors?

A: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and include more hospitals to improve the generalizability of the results. Additionally, more tumor markers should be used to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Researchers should also aim to identify the optimal combination of tumor markers that can improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

Q: How can patients with ovarian cancer benefit from the study's findings?

A: Patients with ovarian cancer can benefit from the study's findings by having access to more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools. The study's findings suggest that combining HE4 with other tumor markers may improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.

Q: What are the potential applications of the study's findings in the field of oncology?

A: The study's findings have potential applications in the field of oncology, including the development of more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer. The study's findings can also inform the development of more effective treatment strategies for ovarian cancer.

Q: What are the potential implications of the study's findings for public health?

A: The study's findings have potential implications for public health, including the development of more effective screening and diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer. The study's findings can also inform the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies for ovarian cancer.

Q: What are the next steps in translating the study's findings into clinical practice?

A: The next steps in translating the study's findings into clinical practice include the development of more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer. Researchers should also aim to identify the optimal combination of tumor markers that can improve the results of diagnosis and help in better therapy planning for patients with ovarian tumors.