CA125

The CA-125 test is not recommended as a routine screening test for ovarian cancer in women who do not have symptoms or who are at high risk for developing the disease. However, it may be recommended for certain groups of women, including

1. Women who have symptoms of ovarian cancer: Women who have persistent abdominal bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, or urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency may be recommended for CA-125 testing.

2. Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer: Women who have a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with ovarian cancer may be at increased risk of developing the disease themselves and may be recommended to undergo the CA-125 test.

3. Women with a personal history of breast cancer: Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer may be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and may be recommended to undergo CA-125 testing.

4. Women with hereditary cancer syndromes: Women who have inherited mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, that increase their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer may be recommended to undergo CA-125 testing as part of their surveillance plan.

It should be kept in mind that the CA-125 test is not specific for ovarian cancer and can be elevated in other conditions, leading to false positive results. Therefore, it should only be used in conjunction with other tests and imaging studies to diagnose and manage ovarian cancer.

The CA-125 Test measures the level of a protein called cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in the blood. Normal CA-125 levels are typically less than 35 units per milliliter (U/mL) in premenopausal women and less than 40 U/mL in postmenopausal women. However, CA-125 levels can vary from person to person and can be affected by several factors, including age, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions.

Elevated CA-125 levels may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer or other conditions that can cause elevated CA-125 levels, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. However, a single elevated CA-125 level is not diagnostic of ovarian cancer and should be interpreted in conjunction with other tests and imaging studies.

Interpretation of CA-125 test results depends on several factors, including

1. The patient's age and menopausal status: Normal CA-125 levels vary depending on whether a woman is premenopausal or postmenopausal.

2. The patient's medical history: Elevated CA-125 levels can be caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

3. Trend of CA-125 levels over time: An increasing trend in CA-125 levels over time may indicate disease progression or recurrence in patients with ovarian cancer.

4. The cutoff used by the laboratory: Different laboratories may use different cutoff values to define normal versus elevated CA-125 levels.

An important thing to note is that false positive results are possible with the CA-125 test, meaning that a woman without ovarian cancer may have an elevated CA-125 level due to other factors. False negative results are also possible, meaning that a woman with ovarian cancer may have a normal CA-125 level.

Therefore, interpretation of CA-125 test results should be done in consultation with a healthcare provider who is familiar with the patient's medical history and other relevant factors.