If there is a suspicion of the development of an oncological process in the body, the patient is assigned an analysis for tumor markers. These are special proteins that are produced during malignancy. Currently, a large number of specific markers have been identified, one of which is CA-125. Its increase may indicate both the presence of ovarian or uterine cancer in women, and the development of less dangerous diseases in the body. What to do if the CA-125 tumor marker is elevated, and what diseases this may indicate, will be discussed later.
Definition
The tumor marker CA-125 is a highly specific protein, which is located on the surface of a malignant tumor of the ovary.
It is important to know that a certain amount of this protein is found in the endometrium, in serous and mucinous uterine fluids. Also, a certain amount of this marker is produced by the epithelium of the gallbladder, testes, stomach, bronchi, and pancreas. While maintaining biological barriers, CA-125 should not enter the bloodstream.
Do not immediately worry when passing the test for tumor markers. If CA-125 is increased, you need to go through a series of additional tests to clarify the reason.
Norms
The tumor marker CA-125 is always present in the body, therefore its concentration in the blood is of great diagnostic value. The following indicators are considered normal indicators that indicate the absence of dangerous diseases:
- From 10 to 15 U / ml - the patient is healthy.
- From 16 to 35 U / ml - a small inflammatory process in the body of a woman is possible.
- More than 30 units / ml - it is recommended to continue diagnostic measures to determine the cause of this result.
- The indicator is up to 60 U / ml. Such an increase in the tumor marker CA-125 with ovarian cysts is quite common. If a deletion procedure is required, after some time it is necessary to retake this analysis.
- Oncomarker CA-125 increased to 100 U / ml or more. This indicator indicates the presence of cancer.
Diagnostics
Venous blood is used to detect this specific marker in the blood. If the ovarian cancer marker CA-125 is increased, then the attending physician prescribes additional diagnostic measures to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe effective therapy. For this, a comprehensive examination is used, including a number of laboratory and instrumental studies. Among them, the most common:
- General analysis of urine and blood. It will reveal the presence of an inflammatory process that occurs in the body.
- Blood chemistry.
- CT scan.
- MRI
- Ultrasound diagnostics. It is the most informative diagnostic measure in situations in which the tumor marker CA-125 is increased.
- A biopsy of the uterus or ovaries.
- Laparoscopy. This method is not used as often as the above procedures. It can be used in the treatment. It is performed using a special device - a laparoscope. It has a minimal risk of developing dangerous complications. If necessary, during the implementation of diagnostic measures using this method, surgical intervention is possible.
Rules for the analysis of tumor markers
To obtain the most accurate test result, a number of specific rules must be followed before taking a blood sample. These include the following recommendations:
- About 10-12 hours before the procedure, do not eat.
- Do not drink 6-8 hours before blood sampling. The exception is a small amount of pure water without additives.
- For a day to stop smoking, do not drink alcohol.
- After about 4 days, do not perform strong physical exertion and do not carry out medical manipulations (for example, ultrasound diagnostics or massage).
- For some time before the analysis, abandon the use of salty, fatty, flour and smoked.
- Some categories of drugs can distort the result of the study, so you should refuse to take them for a while. In the case when this is not possible, it is necessary to notify the laboratory assistant about this before taking the blood.
- Just before the procedure, try to calm down and not be nervous.
- If the procedure for blood donation must be performed during menstruation, it is necessary to clarify the day of the cycle.
Indications for analysis
A blood test to detect the CA-125 tumor marker is not standard. The doctor prescribes it for certain complaints of the patient. This is usually the first test prescribed for ovarian cancer. There are the most common symptoms that are indications for the procedure:
- A fairly strong weight loss in the absence of objective reasons for this.
- An increase in body temperature over several months.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pain in the lower back and lower abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- The appearance of pain during urination, frequent urges that may be false.
- Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the groin area.
- Disorders of stool and digestion.
- Ascites.
- An increase in ESR in a general blood test.
- The appearance of spotting, not related to menstruation.
- Mucous discharge, including streaks of blood, may be disturbing.
- Weakness, depression, mood swings. A woman feels constant tiredness.
The above symptoms can very easily be confused with the manifestations of various diseases of the female genitourinary system. This greatly complicates the diagnosis, and therefore dangerous pathologies progress, which can lead to advanced cancer stages, in which the likelihood of a positive treatment is significantly reduced.
Reasons for the increase
With an increase in marker values, one can talk about the development of the oncological process, as well as about diseases of a non-tumor nature. If the tumor marker CA-125 is increased, the reasons may be as follows:
- Cancer of the reproductive system of women (especially ovaries).
- Oncological tumors in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Mammary cancer.
- Oncological tumors of the lungs.
- Liver cancer.
Non-oncological causes of marker elevation
But not always the diagnosis of its presence in the blood indicates a malignant formation. A slight increase in the tumor marker CA-125 occurs with the following diseases:
- Benign tumors and neoplasms.
- Tumors of the mixed type.
- Inflammatory processes in the appendages.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Endometriosis
- Pancreatitis
- Infectious diseases of the pelvic organs, proceeding with complications.
- Pleurisy.
- Peritonitis.
- Neoplasms in the mammary gland.
- Ovarian cysts. In this case, a situation may be observed in which the tumor marker CA-125 is increased by 2 times.
- Autoimmune diseases.
Non-pathological causes of marker elevation
It is important to note that a slight increase in the CA-125 tumor marker may occur under the following conditions:
- After an abortion.
- During pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. This condition requires careful medical supervision.
- The tumor marker CA-125 can also be increased during menstruation.
Ovarian cancer tumor marker
In most cases, an analysis for the detection of the CA-125 marker in the blood is prescribed if a malignant tumor of the ovary is suspected. Its level will depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stages of the development of the pathological process, a significant increase in specific protein is observed in 50% of cases, in the later stages - in almost all patients.
Ovarian cancer is dangerous because it can be asymptomatic for some time. And since a routine gynecological examination is not able to detect the disease, it is able to quickly move to a more dangerous stage. When symptoms of a malignant process appear, the doctor prescribes an analysis to identify the CA-125 tumor marker. Upon receipt of its increased values, it is necessary to conduct additional diagnostics to clarify the diagnosis. Repeated passing the test is recommended to determine the dynamics of the marker increase. If there is an increase in its values, we can talk about the progression of the tumor process or the development of relapse. Based on the results of the course of treatment, the analysis should reveal a decrease in the concentration of CA-125 in the blood.
Very rarely there are situations in which the tumor marker is within normal limits in the presence of ovarian cancer. This may occur when the cells affected by the cancer do not produce an amount of marker sufficient for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, if there is a suspicion of an oncological process, it is necessary to perform a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Oncomarker CA – 125 with cyst
Ovarian cyst is a neoplasm of a benign nature, which can negatively affect the functioning of the organ and is prone to malignancy.
If a woman suspects the occurrence of ovarian cysts, the doctor prescribes diagnostic measures that will determine the type of formation and the degree of damage to the organ. Since a cyst under the influence of provoking factors and in the absence of treatment can degenerate into a malignant tumor, it is recommended to take an analysis at the level of tumor marker CA-125.
With ovarian cysts, analysis can increase significantly. To clarify the diagnosis and exclude the development of cancer, it is necessary to undergo a number of additional diagnostic measures, as a result of which treatment is prescribed.
Conclusion
An increase in the tumor marker CA-125 can cause a large number of factors. Do not immediately panic when you get such a result. It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, who will conduct an examination and prescribe additional diagnostic measures. Only after this a diagnosis is made and effective therapy is prescribed in each case. Analysis for the tumor marker CA-125 is also used to monitor the quality of treatment. With a decrease in indicators, one can judge the successful result of treatment.
It is important to listen to your body and consult a doctor as soon as unpleasant symptoms appear. Early diagnosis of diseases and timely treatment can minimize the risk of developing dangerous complications. It is recommended not to neglect planned visits to the doctor, especially during pregnancy and menopause, when a certain restructuring of the body occurs, as a result of which pathological conditions can develop that are important to diagnose at an early stage of their development.