CA 125 Test Overview

A CA-125 blood test can be utilised as a part of a comprehensive strategy for ovarian and other cancer screening. It is used as a screening technique for those who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

CA 125 Test Overview

A CA-125 blood test can be utilised as a part of a comprehensive strategy for ovarian and other cancer screening. It is used as a screening technique for those who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

What Exactly Is A CA-125 Blood Test?

This test looks for the presence of the protein CA-125 (cancer antigen 125) in a blood sample. CA-125 is classified as a tumour marker. High levels of certain tumour markers in your blood may indicate malignancy. If you have cancer, evaluating certain tumour markers may help you learn more about how to treat it. CA-125 values are frequently elevated in ovarian cancer patients. The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive glands that create female hormones and store eggs, which are known as ova. The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive glands that create and store female hormones (eggs). Ovarian cancer develops when the cells in the ovary begin to proliferate uncontrollably.
 

This test is also used by providers to detect ovarian cancer in those who are at high risk. This might include things like having an immediate family member who has ovarian cancer or having a genetic mutation or mistake that raises your chance of developing ovarian cancer. A CA-125 test is ineffective for persons who have no symptoms or risk factors. It does not detect cancer. The CA-125 test is used in select persons to diagnose, treat, and monitor ovarian cancer. It is also used to treat cancers of the fallopian tubes and peritoneum.
 

What Is Diagnosed with CA 125 Test?
 

A CA-125 blood test is frequently requested to track the course of ovarian cancer. Before undergoing ovarian cancer therapy, baseline CA-125 levels are assessed. A decrease in CA-125 levels during and after therapy typically suggests that the treatment was effective. Increases in CA-125 levels after therapy might indicate a relapse of the illness. The CA-125 blood test is used for several years following ovarian cancer treatment to determine that the disease has been effectively treated. It is commonly prescribed every two to four months following the conclusion of cancer therapy for the first two years. Following this, the test is scheduled every six months for three years, then once a year.
 

Women with a high family history of ovarian cancer may be advised to have the CA-125 blood test by certain clinicians. However, among women who have an average chance of acquiring the disease, the test is often not used to screen for ovarian cancer. The following illnesses and diseases can result in increased CA-125 levels:

Normal menstruation, pregnancy, endometrial and fallopian tube cancers, uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, such as endometriosis, where cells from the uterus spread to the ovaries and bladder, pelvic inflammatory disease, where the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries become infected, and pancreatic cancer.

Why Does One Need A CA-125 Blood Test?

You may undergo a number of CA-125 blood tests if you have been given an ovarian cancer diagnosis:

• To check on the progress of your cancer throughout the course. Reduced CA-125 readings often indicate that your medication is effective.
• To determine whether your cancer has returned after therapy
• You might require a CA-125 test if you think the lump in your pelvis could be ovarian cancer in order to determine whether it is. But ovarian cancer can only be identified by a biopsy.

Your doctor could advise testing your CA-125 levels if you have a very high risk of developing ovarian cancer. You'll probably need more testing to determine if you have cancer if they're high. You are more likely to get ovarian cancer if you:

• Having ovarian cancer in your mother, sister, or two or more other relatives.
• Have breast cancer or colon cancer survivors in your family.

Hereditary disorders or gene mutations that raise the risk of ovarian cancer, such as:

• Gene changes, such as those in the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes.
• A genetic condition termed Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, raises the risk of a variety of cancers.
• have a history of colorectal, uterine, or breast cancer.

How Is a Blood Test for CA-125 Conducted?

An arm vein is often used to collect a little amount of blood for a CA-125 blood test. The following will take place:

• An antiseptic will be used by a healthcare professional to clean and disinfect the area first.
• After that, they'll place an elastic band over your upper arm to cause blood to expand in your veins.
• The needle will be carefully inserted into the vein after it has been located. The blood will be drawn into a little tube that is connected to the needle.
• When they have extracted enough blood, they will take out the needle and cover the puncture wound to stop any bleeding.
• After that, a laboratory will get the blood sample for examination.
• Your doctor will set up a consultation with you to go through the lab findings whenever they are available.

Understanding CA 125 Test Results 

Your healthcare professional interprets the results for you. Various laboratories may utilise different tests, and acceptable ranges can change. In general, amounts more than 35 units per millilitre are regarded as abnormal. High levels don't always indicate cancer or a recurrence of cancer, though. Your results should be discussed with your provider to ascertain their meaning and whether further testing is required.

Normal test results

In general, a CA-125 level between 0 and 35 units/mL is regarded as good or normal, whereas one over 35 units/mL is regarded as having a high CA-125 level.

High or abnormal test results

The existence of ovarian cancer or any other kind of cancer is not always indicated by high levels of CA-125. CA-125 levels may be increased as a result of another medical problem, such as:

• Uterine tumours
• pelvic inflammatory illness due to endometriosis
• pregnancy/menstruation

CA-125 levels can also change as a result of some cancer treatments and procedures. Discussing with your doctor about your exact results helps to decide whether further testing is necessary. 

High levels of CA-125 are frequently indicative of cancer not responding to treatment when the CA-125 blood test is used to assess the efficacy of ovarian cancer treatment. If this happens, you might require different medicines to fight the illness. When CA-125 levels drop throughout therapy, it means the cancer is responding to the medication. If a CA-125 test is requested by your healthcare practitioner and the findings are positive, they will probably request another test to find out more. The CA-125 test could be retaken later to evaluate whether the outcomes have changed.