Correlation of Fluid Attenuation Values Using Abdominal Computed Tomography with Serum CEA and CA-125 Tumor Markers in Mucinous and Serous Ovarian Tumors

The main purpose of imaging in preoperative ovarian tumors is to differentiate benign and malignant nature of the tumors. These discriminating aids include physical examination, imaging techniques (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI) and measurement of tumor markers especially CA-125 and CEA. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of CT scan pre and post contrast fluid attenuation and tumor markers CA- 125 and CEA in serous and mucinous type ovarian tumors. This retrospective study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2023. The study population was all patients diagnosed with ovarian tumors and the results of histopathological examination showed serous and mucinous types. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, or Wilcoxon test was used to analyzed mean difference of fluid attenuation and tumor markers. Correlation test was analyzed with Pearson or Spearman correlation test. Statistical analysis was using SPSS software v26. A p value 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 87 samples were included in this study. Histopathological results include serous cystadenocarcinoma (48.3%), mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (19.5%), mixed serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (16.1%) with mean age 46.12 years (range 15-79 years). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between fluid attenuation value and CA-125 tumor marker both in native (r = 0.402, p value of <0.001) and venous phase (r = 0.429, p value of <0.001). No significant correlation between fluid attenuation value with CEA tumor marker. Fluid attenuation value can use as adjuvant characteristic in malignancy consideration of the ovarian epithelial tumor.