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CA 125: Control of progress in ovarian cancer

Elevated CA-125 values ​​can be found in benign and malignant diseases in the blood. The surgeon checks the course of the value mainly in the context of ovarian cancer

CA 125: Control of progress in ovarian cancer

Elevated CA-125 values can be found in benign and malignant diseases in the blood. The surgeon checks the course of the value mainly in the context of ovarian cancer

In short:

CA 125 is referred to as a so-called tumor marker. A tumor marker alone is not very revealing. Doctors always evaluate these markers together with further examination results. Elevated CA-125 concentrations can be found in both benign and malignant diseases. The course of the CA-125 value is mainly examined in the context of ovarian cancer.

 Tumor markers are biochemical substances, which are normally detectable only in small amounts or not at all in the blood serum. If they are present in an increased concentration, this can indicate a good or malignant disease development. The presence of a tumor marker is therefore not always the same as cancer. Moreover, not all tumors form markers. The physician can use the values for monitoring a cancer treatment, occasionally also for diagnosis. CA 125 is used to monitor the progress of ovarian cancer.
The serum concentration of CA 125 can be increased for many reasons. Sometimes, but not always, a tumor is the cause. In the picture: A cancer cell (green) is attacked by white blood cells (purple)


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What is CA 125?

CA 125 (CA = Cancer Antigen, cancer antigen) is a sugar-protein molecule that can be formed by different tissues, especially cells of the inner female sex organs. In the course of a tumor disease such as ovarian cancer, CA 125 is often present in the blood in an increased concentration.

What is normal?

The normal reference range of CA 125 includes values up to 35 U / ml.

When does the value increase?

In the case of ovarian cancer, the CA-125 value increases. Elevated concentrations of CA 125 can also be found in breast cancer, cervical cancer or malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Mainly, however, the physician CA 125 determines in connection with cancer diseases of the ovaries.

Important: Although CA 125 is a so-called tumor marker, increasing CA-125 concentrations also occur in some benign diseases. These include, among others, diseases such as endometriosis, abdominal inflammation, pancreatic inflammation, gallbladder infections, and chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis. Last but not least, CA 125 can also be elevated in early pregnancy or during menstruation.
Too high CA-125 values alone say little. The doctor assesses the tumor marker in connection with further examination findings.
Like all tumor markers, it can be determined as a search parameter once but is not proving a tumor.

When is the value too low?

There are no values that are too low for the CA 125 tumor marker. Only increased results above the reference range (see above) may indicate a disease.
Important: The reference values, as well as the values determined, can vary greatly from a laboratory to laboratory. In addition, there may be strong seasonal and (seasonal) seasonal fluctuations without the disease. If you are unsure about the results, please ask your doctor to explain your personal data. Individual laboratory values alone are usually not conclusive. Often they have to be assessed in relation to other values and over time.


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