Utility Of Salivary CA-125 And LDH As Tumor Markers In Oral Malignancy

Background: The mortality and morbidity associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)  can be greatly reduced if tumor markers which can detect OSCC at an early stage are available. This study attempts to use saliva as the diagnostic medium to determine the correlation of salivary CA 125 and LDH in tobacco users with and without potentially malignant disorders. Changes in CA 125 and  LDH level can be used as a marker in patients with and without premalignant disease and can be used as a deterrent in continuation of the habit. Aims: To assess the role of CA 125 & LDH as a tumour marker in Oral cancer patients. Materials and methods: Cross sectional observational study .Time period: December 2015 to August 2017. Study area: OPD of tertiary care hospital in pune. Total participants: 150 persons. Under non-stimulatory conditions whole saliva sample was collected from each individual  and was centrifuged. The resulting supernatant was used for estimation of CA 125 and LDH levels. Results: In present study, mean Salivary LDH level was found to be  lowest among cases of healthy individuals  while it was highest among individuals who were diagnosed and  underwent treatment for malignancy. However there was insignificant difference seen between levels of diagnosed case of oral malignancy and the ones who underwent treatment for oral malignancy. Also mean Salivary CA-125 was lowest in healthy individuals and highest in individuals diagnosed with oral malignancy and the levels were seen to be reduced significantly in the one who underwent treatment for oral malignancies than those who didn't. Conclusion: Salivary CA 125 and LDH has a role in early detection of oral malignancies  and  can be used as a diagnostic marker. However LDH levels are persistently raised even after treatment for oral malignancy.