Markedly-elevated serum CA125 in a woman with pulmonary tuberculosis

Sulaiman S, Tan KH
Correspondence: Dr Tan Kok Hian, khtan@kkh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
A 26-year-old Chinese woman first presented to the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association with fever and cough, and was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. She was then referred to KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital to exclude a gynaecological pathology when she was found to have abnormally high levels of cancer antigen CA125 in a health screening done concomitantly. Pelvic examination and pelvic ultrasonography were normal. Other tumour markers (CA199, CEA, AFP and BHCG) were normal. The level of CA125 was monitored and returned to normal levels with anti-tuberculosis treatment. A non-gynaecological diagnosis like pulmonary tuberculosis must always be considered as one of a differential diagnosis in a woman presenting with a markedly-raised CA125.

Keywords: cancer antigen 125, health screening, pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculosis
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(1): e39-e40