Human Epididymis Protein-4 and Carbohydrate Antigen-125 for Diagnosis of Endometrial Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common genital tumor that frequently causes abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). All gynecologists aimed to differentiate between malignant and benign causes of AUB using a noninvasive approach. Tumor markers like human epididymis protein-4 (HE4) and carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125) were employed and assessed in this investigation. Objectives: To quantify HE4 and CA125 levels in AUB patients and assess their significance in distinguishing between benign and malignant endometrial tumors. Methods: This prospective observational case series analysis included 88 patients with AUB who were admitted for surgical surgery in Mosul hospitals between January 1st and September 30th, 2022. Preoperative blood samples were collected to assess HE4 and CA125 levels. After collecting histopathological results, the patients were separated into two groups: malignant (24) and benign (64) that were further divided into pre- and postmenopausal subgroups. The biomarker level was determined and statistically evaluated. Results: All 24 malignant cases, reported among postmenopausal patients, showed statistically significant differences. The mean HE4 level was higher in the postmenopausal than premenopausal benign group. The mean CA125 level was substantially greater in the malignant than in the postmenopausal benign groups. CA125 showed greater validity markers than HE4. There was no significant relationship between HE4 and CA125 concentrations. Conclusions: Measuring CA125 levels in postmenopausal patients with AUB may help differentiate EC in those with endometrial thickness greater than the threshold value.