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Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)


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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.


Last Updated: May 6, 2011
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine

Thomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine


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