What is the primary tumor marker for ovarian cancer?

CA-125 is the primary tumor marker used in the management and diagnosis of ovarian cancer. This glycoprotein is elevated in many women with ovarian cancer and is frequently used to monitor treatment response and check for recurrence after treatment. It is not exclusively elevated in ovarian cancer, but a significantly high level is often associated with the disease. The use of CA-125 in clinical practice is especially important because it can help in determining the effectiveness of therapy and detecting recurrence, making it a key component in the management of patients with ovarian cancer.

In contrast, while markers like CA 19-9, LDH, and PSA serve important roles in other cancers (with CA 19-9 being related to pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, LDH associated with various malignancies, and PSA pertinent to prostate cancer), they are not specifically indicative of ovarian cancer. Thus, CA-125's specificity and utility in monitoring ovarian cancer make it the primary tumor marker for this disease.