CA-125

Overview

Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) is a glycoprotein antigen normally expressed in tissues derived from coelomic epithelia (ovary, fallopian tube, peritoneum, pleura, pericardium, colon, kidney, stomach). Serum CA 125 is elevated in approximately 80% of women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, but assay sensitivity is suboptimal in early disease stages.In monitoring studies, elevations of cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) above the reference interval after debulking surgery and chemotherapy indicate that residual disease is likely (>95% accuracy). However, normal levels do not rule out recurrence.