HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)
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.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference May 6, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Thomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine |
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