卵巢癌篩檢 (女) CA-125
CA 125: Tumor Marker for Ovarian Cancer
*CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) is a glycoprotein often elevated in ovarian cancer patients. It is secreted by ovarian cancer cells and is primarily used to monitor ovarian cancer diagnosis, treatment response, and recurrence risk. Although CA 125 is most commonly associated with ovarian cancer, it can also be elevated in other cancers and benign conditions.
*Normal Range: < 35 U/mL (The specific range may vary depending on the testing method and laboratory equipment)
*Causes of Elevated CA 125 Levels
-Ovarian Cancer:
Most common cause: Elevated CA 125 is primarily linked to ovarian cancer, especially in advanced or recurrent cases. It is used for diagnosing ovarian cancer, monitoring treatment response, and assessing the risk of recurrence.
-Other Cancers:
CA 125 can also be elevated in other cancers such as endometrial cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer. However, CA 125 levels in these cancers are generally lower than in ovarian cancer.
-Benign Conditions:
Several non-cancerous conditions can cause an increase in CA 125, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver disease, and benign ovarian cysts.
-Pregnancy:
During pregnancy, particularly in the early stages, CA 125 levels may naturally rise due to physiological changes in the body.
*Uses of CA 125
-Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnosis:
CA 125 is commonly used for screening and diagnosing ovarian cancer, particularly in women with symptoms or a family history of ovarian cancer. However, since CA 125 is not specific to ovarian cancer, it cannot be used alone to confirm the diagnosis and should be combined with imaging tests (such as ultrasound or CT scans) and pathological evaluations.
-Monitoring Treatment Response:
In ovarian cancer patients, CA 125 is used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. If treatment is successful, CA 125 levels typically decrease. If the levels rise, it may suggest treatment failure or cancer recurrence.
-Detecting Cancer Recurrence:
After treatment for ovarian cancer, regular CA 125 testing can help detect cancer recurrence early. An increase in CA 125 levels may indicate that the cancer has returned.
-Prognostic Assessment:
The level of CA 125 can serve as a prognostic indicator. High CA 125 levels are often associated with a higher tumor burden and poorer prognosis.
*Health Recommendations
-Further Testing:
If CA 125 levels are elevated, additional diagnostic tests, including imaging (ultrasound, CT scan) and pathology evaluations, should be performed to confirm ovarian cancer or exclude other benign conditions.
-Regular Screening:
Women with a family history of ovarian cancer should consider regular CA 125 testing and use additional screening methods, such as gynecological ultrasounds, to monitor their health.
-Monitoring Treatment Response:
For ovarian cancer patients, regular CA 125 tests are crucial for assessing treatment effectiveness and monitoring for recurrence.
*Conclusion
CA 125 is an important tumor marker for ovarian cancer, significantly aiding in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and recurrence detection. However, it is not specific to ovarian cancer, so an elevated CA 125 level does not necessarily indicate cancer. It should always be interpreted alongside other diagnostic tests for a more accurate assessment. Regular monitoring and early detection can significantly improve the prognosis and treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.
*CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) is a glycoprotein often elevated in ovarian cancer patients. It is secreted by ovarian cancer cells and is primarily used to monitor ovarian cancer diagnosis, treatment response, and recurrence risk. Although CA 125 is most commonly associated with ovarian cancer, it can also be elevated in other cancers and benign conditions.
*Normal Range: < 35 U/mL (The specific range may vary depending on the testing method and laboratory equipment)
*Causes of Elevated CA 125 Levels
-Ovarian Cancer:
Most common cause: Elevated CA 125 is primarily linked to ovarian cancer, especially in advanced or recurrent cases. It is used for diagnosing ovarian cancer, monitoring treatment response, and assessing the risk of recurrence.
-Other Cancers:
CA 125 can also be elevated in other cancers such as endometrial cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer. However, CA 125 levels in these cancers are generally lower than in ovarian cancer.
-Benign Conditions:
Several non-cancerous conditions can cause an increase in CA 125, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver disease, and benign ovarian cysts.
-Pregnancy:
During pregnancy, particularly in the early stages, CA 125 levels may naturally rise due to physiological changes in the body.
*Uses of CA 125
-Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnosis:
CA 125 is commonly used for screening and diagnosing ovarian cancer, particularly in women with symptoms or a family history of ovarian cancer. However, since CA 125 is not specific to ovarian cancer, it cannot be used alone to confirm the diagnosis and should be combined with imaging tests (such as ultrasound or CT scans) and pathological evaluations.
-Monitoring Treatment Response:
In ovarian cancer patients, CA 125 is used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. If treatment is successful, CA 125 levels typically decrease. If the levels rise, it may suggest treatment failure or cancer recurrence.
-Detecting Cancer Recurrence:
After treatment for ovarian cancer, regular CA 125 testing can help detect cancer recurrence early. An increase in CA 125 levels may indicate that the cancer has returned.
-Prognostic Assessment:
The level of CA 125 can serve as a prognostic indicator. High CA 125 levels are often associated with a higher tumor burden and poorer prognosis.
*Health Recommendations
-Further Testing:
If CA 125 levels are elevated, additional diagnostic tests, including imaging (ultrasound, CT scan) and pathology evaluations, should be performed to confirm ovarian cancer or exclude other benign conditions.
-Regular Screening:
Women with a family history of ovarian cancer should consider regular CA 125 testing and use additional screening methods, such as gynecological ultrasounds, to monitor their health.
-Monitoring Treatment Response:
For ovarian cancer patients, regular CA 125 tests are crucial for assessing treatment effectiveness and monitoring for recurrence.
*Conclusion
CA 125 is an important tumor marker for ovarian cancer, significantly aiding in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and recurrence detection. However, it is not specific to ovarian cancer, so an elevated CA 125 level does not necessarily indicate cancer. It should always be interpreted alongside other diagnostic tests for a more accurate assessment. Regular monitoring and early detection can significantly improve the prognosis and treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.