CA-125 is a neoplastic antigen used in the diagnosis of neoplasms - primarily as an indicator of ovarian cancer, but also other neoplasms: lung adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, endometrial cancer or pancreatic cancer. Increased CA-125 levels may also occur for reasons other than the neoplastic process - an increase in this marker may occur during endometriosis, during menstruation or during pregnancy.
CA-125 tumor antigen(carcinoma antigen 125) is a glycoprotein that is often found on the surface of cancerous ovarian cells, but it can also be found in some normal tissues - mainly the organ birth. CA-125 tumor antigen is used as aovarian cancer marker , but its level may also be elevated in other neoplastic diseases, as well as in inflammation and physiological conditions.
CA-125 tumor antigen: standard and use
In he althy women, the concentration of CA 125 antigen usually does not exceed 35 U / ml and is dependent on the hormonal status.
Sometimes it is assumed that the lower range of the norm is 65 U / ml - thanks to this, a large proportion of false-positive results can be excluded.
Elevated CA 125occurs in approximately 80 percent of women with ovarian cancer. It is important to establish the level of this marker at the beginning of treatment - the lower it is, the greater the chances of obtaining a permanent cure.
Increased CA-125 levels are also characteristic during menstruation and pregnancy.
During therapy, CA-125 is primarily used to monitor its effectiveness.
The decrease in the level of the CA-125 antigen during the subsequent cycles of chemotherapy suggests its effectiveness.
A persistent CA-125 level or an increase in CA-125 concentration may indicate the presence of primary tumor remnants or the appearance of metastases.
What else does the elevated CA-125 level testify to?
Increased CA-125 levels may accompany not only cancer but also other diseases, such as:
- endometriosis
- ectopic pregnancy
- uterine fibroids
- pelvic inflammation
- pericarditis
- heart failure
- liver disease
- pneumonia
- inflammationpancreas
- cirrhosis of the liver
- connective tissue diseases
- sarcoidosis
- diabetes
- inflammation in the abdomen