Synonyms |
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Carbohydrate Antigen 125
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Clinical
Indications |
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CA125
is raised in ovarian cancer but most adeno carcinomas produce
it. CA125 is a reliable marker for
monitoring epithelial carcinoma of ovary. The specificity of the marker is such that it
should not be used as a primary diagnostic test for ovarian carcinoma. Evidence for use of
CA125 in early detection of familial ovarian carcinoma is
limited and should be restricted to prospective clinical
trail..
CA125 may also be used as part of pre-op assessment for
suspected ovarian malignancy. Its measurement in patients with
pelvic masses may help differentiate malignant from benign
lesions.
Recent evidence suggests that CA125 may be useful as a
preoperative prognostic marker for transitional cell carcinoma
of the bladder.
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Request Form |
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Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
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Availability |
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Analysed by referral laboratory
if specific criteria met or requested by Consultant
Gynaecologists or Oncologists.
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Specific
Criteria |
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Monitoring of therapy in ovarian
carcinoma and pre-operative assessment of suspected ovarian
malignancy (risk malignancy index). Pre-operative assessment
of bladder carcinoma.
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Turnaround
Time |
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Same
day (Monday to Friday)
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Specimen |
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Serum
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Volume |
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2 ml
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Container |
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Yellow
Top (SST) tube
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Lab. Handling |
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Analysed
from primary tube (CA12 & analyse; NO125 & save)
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Causes for
Rejection |
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Not meeting specific criteria for
analysis.
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Reference
Range |
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Less than
35 kU/L
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Half-life
in Serum |
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Approx.
5 days. Tumour
marker half-life calculator.
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Interpretation |
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-
Moderately
raised CA125 (usually < 100 kU/L) may be due to normal
physiology (e.g. pregnancy or menstruation) or a benign
process (e.g. endometriosis, benign ovarian cysts).
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High
concentrations of CA125 are more likely to be associated
with malignancy; 98% of post-menopausal and 49% of
pre-menopausal women with CA125 >70 kU/L have malignant
disease
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CA125
levels are >30 kU/L in 50% patients with stage I
ovarian carcinoma and in over 90% of patients with stage
II, III, or IV disease
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CA-125
is raised in liver disease, 70% of patients with cirrhosis
and 13% of patients with liver fibrosis have a raised
CA-125.
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