The CA 125 test is widely used to verify a person’s risk of developing certain diseases, such as ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or ovarian cyst, for example. This test is performed from the test of a blood sample, in which the concentration of the protein CA 125, which is normally high in ovarian cancer, is measured, considering a marker of this type of cancer.
Although the concentration of AC 125 is higher than 35 U/mL in some situations, this does not indicate that this is the only diagnostic tool, requiring additional testing to reach the diagnostic conclusion. Despite this, this test can be used to assess a woman’s risk of developing uterine or ovarian cancer, for example, as women with high CA-125 values are generally more likely to have these cancers. See the main signs of ovarian cancer and endometriosis.
- The doctor requests the CA 125 test primarily to assist in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and to monitor development and response to treatment.
In addition, this test may be requested to identify ovarian cancer, endometriosis, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cirrhosis and ovarian cyst with other tests, as the concentration of this protein in the blood is also high in these situations.
The CA-125 test is usually done from a small sample of blood taken with a syringe, as in any blood test, which is then sent to the lab for testing. This test can also be done by analyzing fluid in your chest or abdominal cavity.
Fasting is not necessary to perform the scan and the result is usually published after 1 day depending on the laboratory in which it is performed.
The normal value of CA 125 in the blood is as high as 35 U/mL, with values higher than those considered modified and, in most cases, indicative of ovarian cancer or endometriosis, the doctor should request more tests to reach the end. Diagnosis.
In addition, when the test is used to evaluate cancer treatment, the decrease in values usually indicates that treatment is effective. On the other hand, when there is an increase in the concentration of protein in the blood, this may mean that the treatment is not effective, being necessary to change the therapeutic approach, or even indicate a metastasis.
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