International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Dr. Sanjeev Garg, Dr. Bela Goyal

Abstract
Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. CA-125 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MUC16 gene. The present study was conducted to assess the role of CA- 125 in patients suffering from non- Hodgkin lymphoma. Materials &Methods: This study was conducted from year 2011 to 2015 on the patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in north India. It included 110 patients suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I with CA-125 level < 35 U/ml and group II with CA-125 level > 35 U/ml. Complete blood count (CBC) and levels of urea, creatinine, calcium, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were collected. Viral markers such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human T-cell lymphoma virus (HTLV-I) were also evaluated for some of the patients. Serum CA-125 level was measured using chemiluminescence. The International Prognostic Index (IPI) was calculated. Staging of NHL was also assessed. Results: Out of 110 patients, group I (CA- 125 level <35 U/ml) had 60 patients and group II (CA- 125 level >35 U/ml) had 50 patients. Relapse rate in group I and group II was 15.8% and 33.4% respectively. The mortality rate in group I was 10% and in group II was 28%. The difference was significant (P <0.05). Group I had 34 males and 26 females and group II had 28 males and 22 females. The difference was non – significant (P = 0.25). 60% in group I and 25% in group II had low IPI score. 8.5% in group I and 12.6% in group II had high IPI score. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). 55% in group I and 25% in group II had stage I, 33% in group I and 37% in group II had stage II, 10% in group I and 24% in group II had stage III and 2% in group I and 14% in group II had stage IV. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CA- 125 is a biomarker can be useful in evaluating prognosis in Non Hodgkin lymphoma patients and their response to treatment. It is a cost effective and non-invasive marker.