cancer antigen 125
glycoprotein antigen 125
ovarian cancer antigen
CA-125 tumor marker
The CA-125 protein appears as a tumor marker on the surface of most ovarian cancer cells. This tumor marker is highly sensitive and specific for ovarian cancer. Like AFP and HCG, which are accurate tumor markers for ovarian germ cell tumors, CA-125 is a very accurate indicator for non-mucosal ovarian epithelial tumors, which rise in more than 80% of women with ovarian cancer.
The CA-125 test is performed for the following:
- To monitor cancer treatment:
If a person has cancer of the ovary, endometrium, or fallopian tube, her doctor will order this test regularly to monitor her treatment and malignancy.
- Ovarian cancer screening in high-risk individuals:
If a person has a severe family history of ovarian cancer, a history of fertility or infertility, taking hormonal drugs and obesity, or mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, her doctor may prescribe screen for CA-125 screening with a vaginal ultrasound every 6 months' times. Of course, it is not very useful for this purpose because usually the level of this tumor marker does not increase in the early stages of cancer.
- To check for recurrence of the disease:
Perhaps the most important use of the CA-125 test is to show recurrence of ovarian cancer after treatment. Elevated levels of HE4 and CA125 after treatment indicate that the disease does not respond to cancer treatment or return.
CA125 levels may increase in the following conditions:
Pregnancy (first trimester of pregnancy)
Endometriosis
Pelvic inflammation
Menstrual period
Uterine fibroids
Acute and chronic hepatitis
Ovarian Cysts
Normal range
The normal range of reference varies according to the test method. The test result is usually reported as follows:
Normal: ≤ 35 U/ml
Definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer is made by pelvic exams, radiography, and laboratory tests. However, a single test is not very practical for this purpose and should be performed in several steps and interpret with increasing or decreasing titers, along with other tests, including HE4.
