CA 125

• <36 U/ml

• 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. 
• It is a marker for ovarian and endometrial carcinoma.
• To monitor for persistent or recurrent serious carcinoma of ovary in post-operative period or during chemotherapy. 
• To monitor therapy in patients with endometriosis. 
• CA-125 is also useful in differentiating benign from malignant disease in patients with palpable ovarian masses. 
• Postoperatively the level of CA-125 correlates with the tumour bulk and is a prognostic indicator of clinical outcome. 
• The rate of change in CA 125 is also highly prognostic. A rapid decrease in the level of CA 125 indicates positive response to therapy. 
• CA-125 Is not increased in mucinous adenocarcinoma.

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

• 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.