Types

• CA125 is a mucin like glycoprotein. It is a surface antigen associated with non mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer. The protein is sloughed or secreted from the surface of the ovarian cancer cells into the serum. It is a useful tumour marker for evaluating therapy and monitoring disease status in patients under treatment for ovarian cancer....

Description

• <36 U/ml

When to get Tested

• When a woman has a pelvic mass to help determine the cause
• When Ovarian cancer treatment is started to compare against future measurements.

Elevated Level

• Non mucinous epithelial ovarian carcinoma
• Fallopian tube tumours 
• Cervical adenocarcinoma
• Endometrial adenocarcinoma
• Trophoblastic tumours
• Squamous cell carcinoma of vulva or cervix
• Endometriosis

Several Gynaecological conditions can cause a false positive result. Endometriosis , benign ovary cysts , first trimester of pregnancy , and pelvic inflammatory disease all produce higher levels of CA 125.

Decreased Level