Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)

CA-125 (Cancer Antigen) Test, Carbohydrate Antigen (CA-125) Test

What To Think About

• The cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) test cannot tell the difference between a cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) ovarian lump.
• The test for CA-125 may also be done on body fluids (other than blood) taken from the chest or stomach area.
• High values of CA-125 in a woman who has been treated for ovarian cancer may mean that the cancer has returned. Often the high CA-125 level is found many months before the return of cancer can be found in another way.
• Studies are being done to see if CA-125 can be used as a screening test for ovarian cancer. So far, there is not enough proof to show that this test works to find ovarian cancer early.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: July 2, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
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