Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125): Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
The test for cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is used to:
- Check if treatment for cancer is working. If the level of CA-125 is going down, it usually means that the treatment is working.
- Check if cancer has returned.
- Check if the ovary is the main site of cancer in a woman. If a cancer is found at another site (metastatic cancer), a higher-than-normal CA-125 test result may mean that ovarian cancer is the main site. However, other types of cancer also can increase CA-125 levels.
The CA-125 test is not recommended as a screening test for ovarian cancer at this time. However, the CA-125 test and an ultrasound scan may be used to test women who have a high chance for ovarian cancer. Women have a high risk of ovarian cancer if they have a family history of ovarian cancer or certain changes (mutations) in their DNA (such as the breast cancer BRCA1 mutation).
| 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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