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CA 125
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab
Test Code
0701
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: CA125; Carbohydrate Antigen 125, Cancer Antigen 125
CPT Codes
86304
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum separator (gold-top), Red, Red/Gray
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 4 weeks
Frozen: 4 weeks
Methodology
Chemiluminescence
Setup Schedule
Monday - Friday
Report Available
Same day.
Reference Range
0 - 35 u/mL
Clinical Significance
CA 125 test concentrations are elevated in most patients with active epithelial ovarian cancer, including those with stage I disease. In addition, CA 125 test concentrations are elevated in 1-2% of healthy individuals and may be elevated in diseases other than ovarian carcinoma, including both benign and malignant disorders. CA 125 test concentrations greater than or equal to 35 U/mL may be found in patients with non-malignant conditions, such as pericarditis, cirrhosis, severe hepatic necrosis, endometriosis (Stages II–IV), first trimester pregnancy, and ovarian cysts or in patients with nonovarian malignancies, such as uterine carcinoma, hepatoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and lung cancer.
In women with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma who have undergone first-line therapy and are candidates for diagnostic second-look procedures, a CA 125 test concentration greater than or equal to 35 U/mL has been found to be indicative of the presence of residual tumor. Assuming the physician cannot identify alternative causes for an elevated CA 125 test concentration, a CA 125 test concentration greater than or equal to 35 U/mL provides substantial evidence that residual tumor is present. A CA 125 test concentration below 35 U/mL does not indicate the absence of residual ovarian cancer because patients with histopathologic evidence of ovarian carcinoma may have CA 125 test concentrations within the range of healthy individuals. Clinical decisions should not be based on CA 125 II test concentrations below 35 U/mL.
In women with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma who have undergone first-line therapy and are candidates for diagnostic second-look procedures, a CA 125 test concentration greater than or equal to 35 U/mL has been found to be indicative of the presence of residual tumor. Assuming the physician cannot identify alternative causes for an elevated CA 125 test concentration, a CA 125 test concentration greater than or equal to 35 U/mL provides substantial evidence that residual tumor is present. A CA 125 test concentration below 35 U/mL does not indicate the absence of residual ovarian cancer because patients with histopathologic evidence of ovarian carcinoma may have CA 125 test concentrations within the range of healthy individuals. Clinical decisions should not be based on CA 125 II test concentrations below 35 U/mL.
