Perhaps someone in the medical field can respond to this lab question, thank you.
2006-11-25 20:07:17 · 7 answers · asked by rosesbloom7 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Yes, the CA 125 is a tumor marker, but it should be known that tumor markers are not always 100% accurate. Your tumor markers can go up and down for other reasons...if you have a cold and such. I learned that the hard way. My TM was elevated and my 1st onc said the cancer came back and had spread. My new onc looked into it more and found that I have Sarcoidosis, not cancer again. My new onc uses TM's ONLY to monitor if chemo is working, not as a diagnostic tool, for the reasons I mentioned above.
2006-11-26 05:42:58 · answer #1 · answered by BriteHope 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CA125 is a blood test for cancer, specifically ovarian cancer. The normal range is about 35, but other things can elevate the levels such as fibroids, cysts, endometrosis, inflammation and infections.
Usually the test is done on people who have something wrong like a cyst or cystic mass that do not want surgery or a biopsy.
I have a 10.1 cm mass and other serious medical problems, I was advised to have a whole ovary removed which since pelvic cat scans and ultrasounds along with vaginal revealed a cystic mass, I felt I was more in jeopardy at the time for surgery. I chose Lupron therapy which puts me in menopause. My first test was 70, which my gyno said was a little high but they don't feel anything under 100 is horrible especially with other factors that can raise the level. I had the test again 3 months after therapy and mine was 41 and my cystic mass is down to 5cm and still shrinking.
2006-11-26 22:48:24 · answer #2 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CA-125 is a non-specific tumor marker, which is why it is not used for cancer screening. It is present in ovarian cancer, but also in other cancers, so doctors use this test when they have a suspicion for cancer with other tests. Its value is as an adjunct, not as a solo testing modality. Is there something more specific that you want to know?
2006-11-26 04:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by michalakd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The CA 125 detects ovarian cancer.
2006-11-26 04:10:25 · answer #4 · answered by Marc B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CA125 is a tumour marker for ovarian cancer. As a patient in remission I have these done regularly. However there are times (such as during Pregnancy) when it can give an incorrect result.
2006-11-28 23:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a marker for possible ovarian cancer or it indicates changes.
2006-11-27 00:34:54 · answer #6 · answered by copestir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is tumor marker ,if ^ it indicates that there is a source of cancer somewhere,breast,bone ca and other cancerous forms.
2006-11-26 08:53:43 · answer #7 · answered by MJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋