Introduction:non hodgkin lymphoma could secrete certain cytokines and lymphokines that enhance serosal cells to secrete CA125
Aim of the work: study the levels of CA 125 in patients with B-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma and to evaluate its value as an index for the disease extent and response to treatment.
Methods: forty two patients,including 22 male paients (52.4%) and 20 females (47.6%,) including various age groups ranging from 19 to 65 years, with histological diagnosis of B cell NHLwere enrolled in this study whom were newly diagnozed and untreated. After documenting full medical history and clinical evaluation ,investigations including bone marrow biopsy, CT scans, baseline haematology and biochemistry were done. Serum CA-125 levels were measured at diagnosis and after completion of 6 cycles of CHOP chemotherapy regimen.

RESULTS: The studied patients including 35 patients (83.3%) with diffuse large B cell lymphoma , 5 patients (11.9%) with follicular lymphoma and 1 patient (2.4%) for each of nodal marginal zone lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma.High pretreatment levels of CA 125 were associated with advanced stage, poor ECOG performance status,high LDH, bone marrow involvment ,presence of B symptoms and extranodal disease .CA-125 levels before and after treatment were higher in those with progressive disease followed by those with partial response and lowest levels were found in those with complete remission.
Conclusion: Higher levels of CA-125 before treatment were associated with advanced , extranodal disease and poor response to chemotherapy.