Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.66(6) > 1001386

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Shin, Koo, Kim, Ter, Um, Lee, Son, Kim, Lee, Roh, and Choi: A Case of Bronchiectasis with Elevated Serum CA 125 Level
Case Report
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2009; 66(6): 467-470.

Published online: 30 June 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2009.66.6.467

A Case of Bronchiectasis with Elevated Serum CA 125 Level

Bong Chul Shin, M.D.1, Tae Hyoung Koo, M.D.1, Sang Ock Kim, M.D.1, Hsing Chien Ter, M.D.1, Soo Jung Um, M.D.1, Soo-Keol Lee, M.D.1, Choonhee Son, M.D.1, Ki Nam Kim, M.D.2, Ki-Nam Lee, M.D.2, Mee Sook Roh, M.D.3, Pil Jo Choi, M.D.4

1Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

2Department of Radiology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

3Department of Pathology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

4Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Choonhee Son, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 1, Dongdaesin-dong, Seo-gu, Busan 602-714, Korea. Phone: 82-51-240-2874, Fax: 82-51-242-5852, chshon@dau.ac.kr

Received 23 April 2009       Accepted 17 June 2009

Copyright©2009. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Serum CA 125 is the most useful marker for monitoring patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. However, it can be elevated above normal level in a variety of conditions other than ovarian cancer such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammation disease, and other malignant or nonmalignant disorders, including pulmonary diseases. Recently, we experienced a case of bronchiectasis in which the serum CA 125 level was elevated, changing with the patient's condition. There was no evidence of underlying malignant disease on positron emission tomography or on gynecologic examination, including transvaginal ultrasonography. During follow-up for 14 months, we could not find any clue of malignant disease that could have been the cause of the elevated levels of serum CA 125. Elevated serum CA 125 level should be interpreted carefully according to the patient's clinical condition. In addition, our case suggests that CA 125 may be used as a surrogate marker for acute inflammatory status for chronic pulmonary diseases.

Keywords: CA 125 antigen, Bronchiectasis, Benign

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Chest radiography shows reticular hazziness in both lung fields.
trd-66-467-g001
Figure 2
Chest computed tomography shows multifocal bronchiectasis with secondary infection in both lungs.
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Figure 3
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography shows moderately increased metabolism on both lung fields consistent with inflammatory lesions. There are no malignant lesions.
trd-66-467-g003

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