Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)
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Test Overview
A cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells. It also can be found in other cancers and in small amounts in normal tissue. A CA-125 test measures the amount of this protein in the blood.
CA-125 is used as a tumor marker—which means the test can help show if some types of cancer are present. Most often, the CA-125 test is used to check how well treatment for ovarian cancer is working or to see if ovarian cancer has returned.
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| Last updated: | July 02, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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