CA 125

General information:

All tumor markers measured now speak of the presence of a tumor if they exceed certain threshold levels, i.e. all tumor markers enter the body fluids and in non-tumor diseases /in correspondingly lower concentrations/. Tumor markers are in most cases suitable for follow-up after a surgical intervention or in the course of another type of therapy / in case of total removal of the tumor and in the absence of metastases, the values of the tumor marker should decrease to normal, any new increase in its values is an indication for relapse/. They are not suitable for early diagnosis.

Testing for this tumor marker is of value in:

• ovarian carcinoma
• other types of carcinomas: of the endometrium, breast, gastrointestinal tract and others.

Elevated values of Ca 125 can be found in:

• highly elevated values are found in ascites, pleural and pericardial effusions;
• fluid retention in the body;
• benign gynecological diseases – ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids and cervicitis;
• benign diseases of other organs - acute and chronic pancreatitis, gastrointestinal diseases, cirrhosis and hepatitis, kidney failure, autoimmune diseases, etc.
• slight increases - during the ovulatory peak, menstruation and early pregnancy;

Sample required:

Venous blood in morning in fasting

Key words:

CА 125