Several of you have forwarded an article circulating the Internet on the virtues of screening everyone at a yearly exam for ovarian cancer with a simple blood test called CA 125. Sounds ideal, and if life were just this simple wouldn't it be WONDERFUL??!!!!

Well, thanks to those who gave me the info, and I do really appreciate it. Hope the info below clarifies things, and if you have questions please call me at the office, as I don’t type fast enough to adequately answer you all! My poor two fingers!

And remember, birth control that prevents ovulation decreases ovarian cysts and cancers. What is CA 125?

CA 125 is a protein made by certain cells in the body which include those of the uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and the lining of the abdominal and chest cavities (peritoneum and pleura). Its function is not currently understood. CA stands for cancer antigen. How is CA 125 measured?

CA 125 is usually measured from a blood sample. It can also be measured in fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. The tests currently in use are all based upon the use of an antibody that is directed against the CA 125 protein (monoclonal antibody technique).

In 1996, an improved version of the test was introduced and is known as a second generation test, sometimes denoted as CA 125 - II. The numerical figure of the second generation test results may be higher or lower than a first generation test. When comparing multiple test results over time, it can be important to know which method was used.

What is the normal range for CA 125?

In most laboratories, the normal value is less than 35 kU /ml. What does an elevated CA 125 mean?

It is not possible to state the meaning of an abnormally high CA 125 without additional information about the particular patient being evaluated. The reason is that this protein can be increased in many different benign and malignant conditions. The two most frequent situations in which CA 125 is used is to monitor patients with a known malignancy or as one of several tests in the workups of a patient suspected of having a tumor.

In the patient who is known to have a malignancy, such as ovarian carcinoma, the CA 125 level can be monitored periodically. A decreasing level indicates effective therapy while an increasing level indicates tumor recurrence. Because of test variation, small changes are usually not considered significant. A doubling or halving of the previous value would be important. In the patient who is being evaluated for a pelvic mass, a CA 125 level greater than 65 is associated with malignancy in approximately 90% of cases. However, without a demonstrable mass, the association is much weaker.

About 80% of females with ovarian cancer have an elevated CA 125 – that means 20% do not. But it’s the rate of false positives that make it inadequate for use by itself for screening of even high-risk women. According to The Ovarian Plus International Newsletter this test should be done only with a simultaneous vaginal ultrasound and rectal-vaginal pelvic exam. What conditions other than ovarian cancer can cause an increased CA 125?

Benign conditions that can elevate CA 125 include infections of the lining of the abdomen and chest (peritonitis and pleuritis), menstruation, pregnancy, endometriosis, and liver disease. Benign tumors of the ovaries can also cause an abnormal test result. Increases can also be seen in malignancies of the uterine tubes, endometrium, lung, breast, and gastrointestinal tract.

Lynne Fiore, NP