Carcinogenic antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein found in ovarian cancer cells. The CA-125 blood test measures the amount of cancer antigen 125 in the bloodstream. This protein is produced by cells and is present in a person's blood.

The CA-125 blood test is used to evaluate the status of ovarian cancer during and after treatment..

Of course, the CA-125 blood test is not accurate enough to diagnose ovarian cancer in all women....because abnormal levels of CA-125 in the blood may be caused by various factors.

Why is the CA-125 blood test done?

The CA-125 blood test is used to monitor the progress of ovarian cancer. Baseline CA-125 levels are measured before a person undergoes ovarian cancer treatments. Therefore, a decrease in CA-125 levels during and after treatment usually indicates successful treatment. An increase in CA-125 levels also indicates a recurrence of the disease.

CA-125 blood test is done for several years after treatment measures to improve ovarian cancer and with the aim of ensuring successful treatment of this disease....Typically in the first two years after the completion of cancer treatment, the test is prescribed every two to four months....After this period, the test is done every six months for three years and then once a year.

Some doctors may recommend a CA-125 test for women with a family history of ovarian cancer. However, this test is not usually used to screen for ovarian cancer in women who are at moderate risk for the disease. There are several disorders and conditions that can cause elevated CA-125 levels.. These factors include:

• Pregnancy
• Natural menstruation
Endometrial and fallopian tube cancer
• Noncancerous mass growth in the uterus, such as uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis, a condition in which uterine cells grow in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries and bladder.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease in which the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries become infected
Pancreatic cancer

How is the CA-125 blood test performed?

The CA-125 blood test usually involves sampling from a vein in the arm. During this test, as with other blood sampling procedures, the following will occur:

• First, one of the medical service personnel cleans and disinfects the needle insertion site using an antiseptic.
• Then they wrap an elastic band around your arm to swell your veins.
• When they find the vein, they insert the needle slowly into the vein...then collect the blood in a small tube.
• After taking enough blood, the needle is pulled out and the area where the needle was inserted is pressed with cotton to stop the bleeding.
• Then the blood sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• After the lab prepares the results, your doctor will schedule an appointment to discuss the results with you.

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

The CA-125 blood test is a low-risk method. The risks of this test are the same as other blood tests and include the following:

• Difficulty taking a blood sample, which causes the needle to be inserted multiple times.
• Excessive bleeding at the needle entry site
• fainting due to loss of blood
• Infection at the needle entry site

What do CA-125 test results mean?

CA-125 test results may vary depending on the laboratory that performed the analysis...however, in most cases, a CA-125 level greater than 35 units/mL is considered high.

High CA-125 levels do not necessarily confirm the presence of ovarian cancer or any other type of cancer.... CA-125 levels may be elevated due to other conditions such as:.

• Uterine fibroid
endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pregnancy
Menstruation

Some cancer drugs and surgeries can also change CA-125 levels. Therefore, you should discuss your test results with your doctor to determine if additional confirmatory tests are needed.

When the CA-125 blood test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment, a high CA-125 level often indicates that the cancer is not responding to treatment. If this happens, alternative treatments may need to be adopted to fight the disease. A decrease in CA-125 levels during treatment indicates that the cancer is responding to treatment.

Baseline CA-125 levels are normal in some women with ovarian cancer, meaning their tumors do not produce CA-125 protein.

For information about the CA-125 blood test for ovarian cancer screening, you can use the guidance of the best hematologist or gynecologist.

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Source: Health Line