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What is a CA-125 test?
A CA-125 test measures the levels of a specific protein in your blood. CA-125, which stands for cancer antigen 125, is a protein whose levels get affected by certain health conditions. This test is mostly used to diagnose cancer in women at high risk for ovarian cancer.Â
However, the levels of CA-125 can rise because of both non-cancerous conditions such as menstruation, uterine fibroid, and cancerous conditions such as peritoneal, endometrial and fallopian tube cancers.
Your doctor might suggest a CA-125 (Tumor Marker) Test for many reasons. Still, it is essential to know its uses, including why you need one, how to interpret its results, etc.
What is a CA-125 test used for?
A CA-125 test measures the levels of a protein in your blood. The uses of this test include
- Screening women at high risk for ovarian cancer.
- Monitoring ovarian cancer treatments.
- Checking if ovarian cancer has come back after treatment.
High or low levels detected in a CA-125 test help monitor changes in all these circumstances.
Understanding the test results of the CA-125 (Tumour Marker) Test
The level of the CA-125 (Tumor Marker) Test is measured in units per millilitre (U/mL). The normal range is 0 to 46 U/mL; any reading more than this may indicate cancer in your body. You can understand the test results using this chart:
|
CA-125 Levels (Units/mL) |
Meaning |
|
0-45 (Normal Marker) |
No cancer 99% of the time. |
|
>45 (High Marker) |
Possibility of cancer that needs further diagnosis. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do I need a CA-125 Test?
Your doctor might recommend a CA-125 test in several cases. Most commonly, these include
- Diagnosing cancer if you are at high risk of ovarian, endometrial, or fallopian tube cancers.Â
- Checking the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatments and checking for recurrence of cancer.
You might be at high risk of ovarian cancer if you have BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, have a family history of cancer or have had breast or uterine cancer in the past.
What happens during a CA-125 Test?
A CA-125 test is a quick blood test that takes less than five minutes. Your doctor or healthcare professional will insert a small needle in your arm or hand to collect a blood sample during the test. This blood sample is collected in a vial or a test tube and later examined in a lab.Â
What is a normal CA-125 marker?
Normal levels of the CA-125 test range between 0 and 46 U/mL. Any levels more than that indicate the presence or recurrence of cancer in your body. However, a high marker of CA-125 is only a potential cancer indicator and does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Consult with your doctor about what exactly the results indicate in your test.Â
What level of CA-125 indicates cancer?
Normal levels of the CA-125 test lie between 0 and 46 U/mL. If you have a high marker of CA-125 (>45), it can indicate a possibility of cancer. However, a further diagnosis is required to diagnose cancer. If your CA-125 test results have high levels, consult your doctor about possible cancer.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
As the CA-125 test is a normal blood test, no special preparation is needed before the test.
How long do CA-125 test results take?
Once your blood sample is collected and sent to a lab for further analysis, the test results may take a few days. While some blood test reports come on the same day, others might need a time of 24 to 48 hours.
You can talk to your doctor about when you can expect the test results for the CA-125 blood test.Â
Does the CA-125 marker test detect ovarian cancer?
Yes. If you have ovarian cancer, the cancer cells produce high levels of CA-125 in your body. These levels are detected in a CA-125 blood test and indicate a possibility of ovarian cancer. However, a further diagnosis like biopsy would be required to confirm ovarian cancer. On confirmation, your doctor will refer you to an oncologist.
Are there any risks in taking the test?
The CA-125 test is a quick blood test to detect cancer in your body. There are no side effects related to this test. However, you might feel slight pain at the bruising spot where the needle was inserted. In most cases, the pain goes away in a few minutes.
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