The ovarian tumor marker CA-125
Every year cancer claim millions of lives, the main reason for this is that effective treatment to the tumor at the earliest stages of development. But at this time no signs of General malaise, and the patient does not contact a specialist. With the advent of serious health problems – weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, many patients associate it with emotional or physical stress, effects of colds and again not go to the doctor. But when there is pain, which means complete maturation of the tumor and formation of metastases, a meeting with a specialist determines an extremely heavy fighting with the problem, sometimes this struggle is impossible.
Modern laboratory studies help to identify the cancer processes before you can define them in the traditional way. This means that deadly diseases can be overcome at the very beginning, to save life and health.
What is the cancer marker CA-125, and for what purpose defined?
Study of tumor markers is one of the important diagnostics of the early stages of cancer. Cancer cells have active metabolism and are constantly released into the blood plasma of several active substances tumor markers, the level of which experts can make a conclusion about the presence in the body of the patient cancer tumor of any organ. Each type of tumor has a marker for diagnosis in women with ovarian cancer and its metastases it is customary to use the tumor marker CA 125.
Carbo hydrate Antigen 125 is a protein complex with high molecular weight (250 kDa). In small quantities it contains:
- Endometrium
- The epithelial tissue of the abdominal and pleural cavities
- In men, the epithelium of the testes
- In women, the epithelium of the fallopian tubes.
The rate of tumor marker CA 125 should not exceed 30 ked/L.
A blood test is carried out in order to determine the concentration of protein CA - 125 in serum, the test is used by specialist oncologists as an auxiliary diagnostic procedure for suspected cancers of the digestive, respiratory, ovarian, uterine body and its appendages. Most often the test used for monitoring of the effectiveness of antitumor treatment of cancer and recurrences.
The tumor marker CA-125 is elevated in:
- Fibroid tumors of the uterus
- Endometriosis
- Inflammatory diseases of organs located in the pelvis
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Cystic tumors of the pancreas and lung
- Oncologic pathology.
The concentration of CA-125 can grow in a period of gestation of the baby (1st trimester), during menstruation, in the period of breastfeeding.
The rate of tumor marker CA-125 in women less than 23 ked/L. in men – no more than 13 ked/L.
Analysis
For this study used the method of immunochemical analysis with electrochemiluminescent detection (IHAL), it involves a reaction between antigen and antibody. It is carried out by using special test strips or test cassettes.
How to test for the tumor marker CA-125? A biomaterial for the study is the blood from a vein, the selection is carried out from 8 to 11 a.m. directly in the laboratory. The patient is desirable not to have Breakfast or smoke, you can drink the water. On the eve of the test, it is important to follow some rules:
- Stop taking the medicine, if it is not possible to inform the physician assistant;
- To refuse to accept alcoholic drinks, fried, spicy and salty foods;
- To cancel sport training;
- Dinner preferably not later than 20 hours, not to overeat;
- A good rest and not to worry.
Selectionthe biomaterial is to perform any medical procedures.
Interpretation of results
The transcript of the tumor marker CA-125 contains information for qualified professional and is not a diagnosis, this information should not be used by patients for self-diagnosis and self-medication.
Causes of elevated tumor marker CA-125 to 40 ked/l is selected somatic pathology, they can say:
- Acute viral infections
- Peritonitis
- Chronic hepatitis
- Pleurisy
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Autoimmune pathologies
- Gynecological inflammatory or infectious diseases.
Higher values above 33 ked/l in 80% of cases, evidence of cancer:
Ovarian- The body of the uterus and its appendages
- Endometrial
- Breast
- Pancreas
- Stomach
- Bowel
- Lungs.
A decrease in the value of the marker during treatment of cancer gives hope for a favorable prognosis. If the content of CA-125 increased in two times and is not reduced – this indicates low efficiency of the treatment.
In the period of the weakening stage of the disease increasing the content of the marker CA-125 serves as a basis for prescribing additional studies in order to avoid the occurrences of relapses.
Transcript of ovarian tumor marker CA-125 is the most convenient and versatile method for diagnosing ovarian cancer, the detection of which the reference values are abnormal. But it is important to remember that the diagnosis of disease is not just one test that determines the concentration of one particular element in the plasma. To establish the correct diagnosis, an experienced specialist will prescribe additional research is provides full and detailed information about the possible existence of cancer, or its absence.
The ovarian tumor marker CA-125 is a substance of protein nature, which indicates the presence of neoplastic processes, gives an idea of the extent of its spread in the body, and helps to assess the effectiveness of the antitumor treatment. All patients it is important to remember the significance of tumor marker, how to donate blood for this test, what are the condition in which the concentration of this marker increases.