How high must carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) levels be to indicate a tumor?
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Qi Zhirong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the reference value for carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) ranges between 0-35 U/ml. However, this range may slightly vary depending on different testing institutions and methodologies. When the CA 125 level is significantly higher than the normal range, reaching 300-400 U/ml, its association with malignant tumors becomes stronger, indicating a need to be vigilant about the possibility of cancer. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Generally, when the level of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) is significantly higher than the normal range, reaching 300-400 U/ml, the association with malignant tumors becomes stronger, and the possibility of cancer should be considered. The normal reference range for CA 125 is 0-35 U/ml, although this may vary slightly depending on the testing laboratory and methodology. Specific analyses are as follows:
Benign conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis can also cause mild to moderate elevations in CA 125 levels, typically below 100 U/ml. In malignant tumors, especially ovarian cancer, CA 125 levels are significantly elevated, often reaching 300-400 U/ml. Additionally, other malignancies such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer may also lead to elevated CA 125 levels, although the increase is usually not as pronounced as in ovarian cancer.
Even with a marked elevation in CA 125 levels, a diagnosis of tumor cannot be made based solely on this finding. A comprehensive evaluation including the patient's clinical symptoms, physical signs, and other diagnostic tests such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histopathological examination is necessary for accurate diagnosis.
For patients with elevated CA 125 levels, dynamic monitoring is recommended to observe the trend of change. If the levels continue to rise or remain consistently high, further investigations should be conducted to determine the underlying cause.
