In this sense, CA 125 can be useful in the screening phase (identification of subjects at risk), but above all to monitor the clinical progress of ovarian neoplasms after treatment.
When one of these tissues is damaged or inflamed, as in the moment of development of a tumor in the ovary, it is possible to find an increase in the quantities of CA 125, easily identifiable with a simple blood test.
In addition to ovarian cancer, however, a high value of this marker can also indicate other conditions, pathological and not, including:
- Pelvic inflammations;
- Ovarian cysts;
- Presence of menstrual cycle;
- Liver pathology;
- Tumors of the endometrium, peritoneum and fallopian tubes;
- Endometriosis;
- Pancreatitis;
- Pregnancy.
To remember
The possibility of a non-specific increase in CA 125 excludes its validity as a screening test for ovarian cancer, while its usefulness is proven to follow the evolution of the disease once diagnosed.
Currently, the CA 125 assay is mainly used to check the outcome of the treatment adopted for ovarian cancer or to strengthen or confirm the diagnosis of this pathology.
Furthermore, in view of the subtle evolution of the disease, the analysis of this marker is usually recommended for women who have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, such as those who have a family history.
However, in the event that the symptoms are suspected and the antigen is increased, another test is typically combined, namely the dosage of HE4 (Human epididymis protein 4). The latter marker is more specific than CA 125 and is expressed in excess in ovarian cancer. HE4 therefore represents a complement of investigation useful in discriminating between cancer and benign ovarian masses, in case of positivity of CA 125.
Currently, the combination of multiple markers (such as SMRP, HE4 and CA 72-4) capable of establishing safer ovarian cancer diagnoses than "using CA 125 alone" is currently being studied. also abnormal but benign conditions.
The test is not prescribed for women whose tumor antigen 125 levels are normal before starting therapy. In this situation, in fact, the tumor does not produce this marker, which is not useful in monitoring the disease.
To remember
In women in whom a pelvic mass has been detected or in those at high risk, the presence of elevated levels of CA-125 leads to suspicion of ovarian cancer, but is not diagnostic of its presence. Therefore, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer always requires further investigation.
