Ca 125 - tumor marker: what it shows and what is the norm

Home > Encyclopedia of Oncology > Tumor marker CA 125: norm and interpretation of indicators

Thanks to innovative technologies, doctors have the opportunity to diagnose many diseases at the initial stage of development. Scientists have achieved particularly great success in cancer research, developing methods for identifying signs of pathology using blood tests. When identifying cancer in the ovaries, the most informative is the tumor marker Ca 125. An increase in this glycoprotein may indicate a cell mutation, but there are other diseases in which there is a deviation from the norm. You can understand what the analysis shows, how decoding is carried out and what is considered an increase in the norm by reading our article.

Important! The accuracy and reliability of the study largely depends on where and how the woman will donate blood for the Ca 125 tumor marker. Israeli clinics are considered the best, one of them is Assuta.

Some people believe that spending money on biochemical studies if a tumor is suspected is inappropriate, especially if there are no obvious symptoms. But in reality, a timely analysis with competent decoding can save your or a family member’s life. At the initial stage of cancer, it is much easier to cope with it, and the recovery period takes significantly less time. Having discovered that the indicators are elevated, the doctor will promptly prescribe additional tests and select an individual treatment program. Therefore, you should not delay contacting the diagnostic center.

Key Features

Like other tumor markers, Ca 125 belongs to the category of waste products of tumors; it has certain normal indicators and reasons for its increase.
It is produced in the ovarian epithelium under the influence of external and internal factors. In approximately half of the cases, inflated numbers are observed in patients at stage 1; at stages 2-3, a similar phenomenon is identified in 80 percent of patients.

In the female body, the antigen is also present in mucinous and serous fluid, the uterus and endometrial tissues. But from there (with rare exceptions) they do not penetrate into the bloodstream, which gives doctors reason to suspect oncological pathology. The aggressiveness of the tumor and the scale of the disease are indicated by how much greater the increase is; for example, sometimes doctors record a deviation from the norm of 2 times, and sometimes 100 times.

Attention! There is no one hundred percent guarantee of the presence of a tumor if decoding reveals that the tumor marker Ca 125 is elevated. However, it is still worth submitting biomaterial, otherwise there is a risk of missing pathology.

What does the specific tumor marker Ca 125 show? When taking the test, it is possible to identify the amount of antigen in the patient’s blood plasma, thanks to which it is possible to understand whether there is reason to suspect ovarian cancer in a woman or whether the problem is something else. The study is done using a chemiluminescent immunoassay with an analytical sensitivity of 2 to 120 thousand units per milliliter. Only blood from a vein is studied, from which serum is isolated - the biomaterial must be stored in a vacuum container at temperatures from two to eight degrees Celsius (maximum storage period is 1 day).

Analysis data for the presence of a marker and deviations from the norm are used for a variety of tasks:

at risk of recurrent cancer;
as part of the initial examination of patients;
when a differential diagnosis is required;
in the prevention of cancer pathologies;
to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy - a study is prescribed before the start of the treatment course and after its completion;
to give the patient an objective prognosis for the future.

Consult an Israeli specialist

Cost of analysis for tumor markers CA-125 for ovarian cysts

The price of a laboratory test depends on whether the determination of a specific tumor marker is included in a comprehensive diagnostic panel or whether only its concentration needs to be determined. In addition, the final cost is influenced by the urgency of the study and obtaining results in the shortest possible time. Therefore, the price for this type of laboratory diagnostics is calculated individually for each patient.

To clarify prices and make an appointment with a specialist at the Healthy Family multidisciplinary clinic, call +7 (495) 185 93 07 or request a call back. As soon as managers see the request, they will immediately contact you and advise you on all issues of interest.

Acceptable indicators

Pathological processes in blood tests are indicated by an increase in a certain concentration of antigen. A level of 10 to 35 units per milliliter is considered normal, and if a girl with an ovarian cyst is being examined, then the acceptable limit is 60 units per milliliter.

Attention! The biomaterial of not only women, but also men (if indicated) is analyzed. For them, the norm is from zero to 10 units/ml.

If you receive results according to which the Ca 125 tumor marker is higher than normal, then there is a possibility of a malignant or benign tumor developing in the ovaries. However, there are other prerequisites for an increase - only a doctor can determine for sure whether you have cancer or another disease.

Important! It is very rare, but it happens that when cancer develops, the numbers remain normal. This happens if the mutated cells do not produce enough antigen for laboratory diagnosis.

CA-125 norm

Standards may differ due to the use of particular equipment. Much depends on the brand of reagent used in a particular laboratory. The results are interpreted by doctors at the clinic where the test was taken. They use the standards adopted in the laboratory for decoding. It is important to focus on the units of measurement accepted in the hospital.

Normal tumor marker values are considered to be up to 10 units/ml for men and for women, depending on three factors:

Before menopause – less than 35 units/ml.
In menopause – less than 20 units/ml.
Pregnancy at different stages - up to 100 units/ml.

Normal indicators can be distorted, and the doctor receives a false positive result if patients do not comply with the rules for preparing for tests. Common reasons for re-prescribing CA-125 may be the patient's intensive drug therapy, chronic stress and anxiety. An irregular menstrual cycle or pregnancy in the first trimester can also affect accuracy.

Indications for the study

The examination is mandatory for:

those who live in areas with poor ecology;
women who work at industrial facilities;
girls with an unfavorable family history;
cancer patients with already diagnosed ovarian tumors or cysts;
those who gave birth to their first child after 35 years of age;
representatives of the fairer sex who started their periods early;
have undergone hormonal therapy;
recovered from cancer of the reproductive organs.

Attention! If there is more than one risk factor, patients without elevated Ca 125 may be prescribed additional tests, for example, an analysis for the HE 4 tumor marker.

The results may be false positive, which is not evidence of poor health. This happens if the cause of high rates is other diseases (pleurisy, endometriosis, etc.). It is easier to treat a pathology that is detected and diagnosed in time, so you should not hesitate to see a doctor and donate blood.

What are tumor markers

Tumor marker

- the development of scientific works that tried to identify a specific sign of a tumor at a time when there was no bright clinic yet, and using special demonstrative research methods that do not require targeted shooting.

This substance is a waste product of a malignant cell.

, or it may represent chemicals that were released when the cell disintegrated.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, tumor markers do not always accompany only oncological processes

. The analysis also shows this result in various pathologies of other etiologies, inflammatory diseases of certain organs. Another option for increasing the level of tumor markers may be various physiological changes in the body.

How to prepare for the procedure?

The results are largely influenced by when the test for the tumor marker of ovarian cancer Ca 125 will be taken and in what condition the body of the person being studied will be. Basic recommendations for preparation:

It is advisable that the blood be drawn before 12 noon.
Before the test you need to not eat for 5-8 hours.
For three days, you should eliminate everything fatty, spicy, fried, and alcoholic beverages from your diet.
You should not actively exercise in the gym the day before.
If you are nervous about donating blood from a vein, sit for ten minutes before you start to calm down.
You must give up cigarettes on the day of the test.
Calculate in advance on what day of the cycle the biomaterial is taken (this may affect the decoding).
To ensure reliable results, you need to stop taking medications (this issue is discussed in advance with your doctor).

Women and men who have been prescribed such an analysis are faced with the question of not only how to donate blood for the Ca 125 tumor marker in order to determine the presence of abnormalities, but also where to do it. In post-Soviet countries, conducting research is associated with a number of risks:

lack of information among patients regarding preparation;
incorrect decoding due to low qualifications of laboratory staff;
non-compliance with the rules for storing biomaterial;
outdated equipment.

According to reviews and expert opinion, it is in Israel that the most innovative equipment is used, and some of the best diagnosticians and specialists in the treatment of oncological diseases in the world work. If you are interested in receiving an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible, then you should definitely think about undergoing research abroad. Moreover, now it is not difficult to organize a trip - just contact the special department of the clinic that serves foreign patients.

Normal tumor marker CA-125 for ovarian cyst

Glycogen CA-125 is a specific antigen for adnexal cancer. A study of this indicator is prescribed when the doctor suspects malignancy in the tissue of the affected ovary. An elevated tumor marker for an ovarian cyst, CA-125, does not always indicate a cancerous process. In some benign neoplasms, the level of this marker also increases, reaching 100 IU/ml. Therefore, if the indicators of this antigen do not meet the norms, the patient is given a referral for an additional, more in-depth diagnostic examination, which will help make a final diagnosis.

Decryption rules

One of the conditions for a competent diagnosis is professional interpretation of the results. Even knowing the indicators are normal, a non-specialist will not be able to understand whether an excess is evidence of cancer or there is reason to suspect another ailment. When assessing, the doctor uses data obtained through clinical and instrumental diagnostic procedures, and is also guided by the following basic principles:

if the numbers are up to 30 units/ml, there are no oncological symptoms and risk factors, then there is no cause for concern;
with values ranging from 35 to 60 units/ml, most often we are talking about the presence of a cyst;
a manifestation of cell mutation is the amount of protein more than 100 units/ml.

Interesting! Israeli clinics use a comprehensive approach to examining patients, achieving 93% accuracy in detecting cancer at the initial stage.

What else does the tumor marker Ca 125 mean if it is outside the normal range? Excess occurs in oncopathologies of the breast, lungs, fallopian tubes, liver, endometrium and pancreas. Naturally, before making a verdict, the doctor will prescribe a number of additional studies to confirm the diagnosis and begin to develop the most successful treatment regimen.

Indications

Determination of CA-125 levels is prescribed in the following cases:

As part of a comprehensive diagnosis of cancer of the ovaries, breast, uterus, fallopian tubes, etc.
During dynamic observation of patients who have already undergone treatment (evaluation of effectiveness).
In order to detect relapse.
Benign neoplasms of the ovaries.

It is worth noting that just determining the level of CA-125 in blood serum is uninformative and low-specific. Therefore, Euroonco specialists always prescribe this analysis in combination with other laboratory and instrumental studies.

Another interpretation

There are a number of factors that can affect the results of a blood test.
The protein content may change during pregnancy and menopause, during menstruation, or during a recent ultrasound or x-ray. You also cannot completely trust the indicators if the patient did not follow the preparation recommendations, for example, drank alcohol, smoked or ate before coming to the clinic. Taking medications is also important. Those who take medications regularly need to inform the oncologist in advance so that there is no confusion when deciphering. Increased numbers can be not only with ovarian tumors, but also with other diseases, for example:

pericarditis, peritonitis and other inflammatory pathologies affecting the serous membranes;
cyst developing in the endometrium;
active metastasis of cancer of other organs.

Women should not be afraid of oncology ahead of time; moreover, even if a malignant neoplasm is diagnosed, at the first stage it is possible to overcome the disease with the help of advanced treatment methods in almost 100% of cases. The main thing is not to put off diagnosis until later and contact a reliable medical center!

3.What are the risks and what may affect the analysis?

What are the risks of the CA-125 blood test?

Possible risks of the cancer antigen test may only be associated with the blood draw itself. In particular, the appearance of bruises at the puncture site and inflammation of the vein (phlebitis). Warm compresses several times a day will relieve phlebitis. If you are taking blood thinning medications, you may bleed at the puncture site.

What could affect the analysis?

CA-125 cancer antigen levels may change due to:

Taking anticancer drugs;
Recent examination using radiation;
Previous abdominal surgery. The CA-125 test is done only 3 weeks after surgery.

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Non-cancerous causes of increased CA-1255

A slight excess of the CA-125 norm can occur against the background of exacerbation of diseases such as peritonitis, pleurisy and pericarditis. As a rule, in such diseases the indicator goes beyond 35 units/ml, but does not exceed 45 units/ml.

If a patient develops a benign formation in the ovarian cavity, then the level is normally allowed to exceed 60 units/ml. This is due to disruption of epithelial tissue. In this case, the level of CA-125 must be monitored on a regular basis to prevent the risk of a benign tumor developing into a malignant one.

Important to consider!

The normal value can fluctuate between 60–65 units/ml during menopause. Overestimation is often observed with additional diseases, such as fibroids, inflammation of the appendages, endometriosis.

Of course, if the norm is exceeded to 100 units/ml, then this may indicate a high risk of developing malignant neoplasms. But this value is not always regarded as a potential threat to cancer. The correlation may occur against the background of an increased level of natriuretic hormone, which indicates problems with the cardiovascular system.