ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the correlation of transiently elevated postoperative serum cancer antigen 125 levels and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 181 non-small cell lung cancer patients with normal levels of preoperative serum cancer antigen 125 were statistically summarized in this study. RESULTS: Out of the analyzed patients, 22 (12.2%) showed elevation of serum cancer antigen 125 within one month after surgery. Serum cancer antigen 125 level decreased to normal at three months postoperation. Serum cancer antigen 125 was positively correlated with pro-brain natriuretic peptide in non-small cell lung cancer postoperative patients (p=0.00035). Univariate analysis did not find significant difference in disease progression survival between those who experienced cancer antigen 125 elevation in the early postoperation and those who did not (p=0.646). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, transient elevation of cancer antigen 125 is associated to pro-brain natriuretic peptide increase after pulmonary surgery in non-small cell lung cancer patients.