Gynaecological oncology: CA-125 use: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Gynaecological oncology: CA-125 use

Sample item

In ovarian cancer, what is the most valuable role of serum CA-125?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Monitoring response to chemotherapy and detecting recurrence

CA-125 is raised in about 80 percent of epithelial ovarian cancers, and serial levels are useful for monitoring response to treatment and recurrence. It is not specific, since endometriosis, pelvic infection, menstruation, pregnancy and liver disease raise it, and screening has not reduced mortality. Diagnosis requires histology.

Option by option

  • A. Monitoring response to chemotherapy and detecting recurrence (correct)

    Correct. Its best use is monitoring treatment response and recurrence.

  • B. Screening the general population

    Population screening has not been shown to be beneficial.

  • C. Differentiating all types of ovarian tumours

    It is not raised in germ cell tumours or mucinous tumours in all cases.

  • D. Definitive diagnosis of malignancy

    It cannot confirm malignancy by itself.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Monitoring response to chemotherapy and detecting recurrence. CA-125 is raised in about 80 percent of epithelial ovarian cancers, and serial levels are useful for monitoring response to treatment and recurrence.

Why is "Screening the general population" not the answer?

Population screening has not been shown to be beneficial.

Why is "Differentiating all types of ovarian tumours" not the answer?

It is not raised in germ cell tumours or mucinous tumours in all cases.

Why is "Definitive diagnosis of malignancy" not the answer?

It cannot confirm malignancy by itself.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: CA-125 use in OBG. It is not specific, since endometriosis, pelvic infection, menstruation, pregnancy and liver disease raise it, and screening has not reduced mortality. Diagnosis requires histology.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gynaecological oncology: CA-125 use?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.