CA 125

CANCER ANTIGEN (CA-125):

Why Cancer Antigen (CA)-125 Test?

CLINICAL INFORMATION

Cancer Antigen CA-125 is synthesized by mesothelial cells in response to stress (such as mechanical stress caused by fluid overload, inflammatory stress – interleukins 5,6 and TNF), hence is considered as a tumor marker. The other conditions that can also elevate the levels of CA 125 include endometriosis, liver cirrhosis, normal menstruation, pelvic inflammatory disease (STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease caused by Chlamydia and/or gonorrhea), uterine fibroid (non-cancerous growth of the uterus), etc. Cancer Antigen CA-125 test helps to measure the amount of the protein CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) in the suspected patient’s blood with signs of ovarian cancer (uncontrolled cell growth in a women’s ovary). High elevated levels of CA 125 are an early sign indicative of ovarian cancer.  This test can serve as an important tool in diagnosing a pelvic mass, screening high-risk patients, evaluating treatment response, estimating prognosis, and monitoring for cancer recurrence.

Women with a high risk of ovarian cancer such as those with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, may hence consider periodic CA 125 testing.

Other tests include pelvic ultrasound screening.

General Instructions:

Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.

NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.

Sample Requirement: Blood Sample taken from the vein

Test Preparation: None

This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.