Is it serious if the carbohydrate antigen 724 level is twice the normal value?
CA 724 usually refers to carbohydrate antigen 724. Generally speaking, a CA 724 level that is double the normal value is not considered severe. If experiencing any discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and examination. Detailed analysis is as follows:
CA 724 is a tumor marker, with a normal reference range typically between 0 and 6.7 μg/L, although this may vary slightly depending on the laboratory or testing methodology. CA 724 demonstrates high sensitivity for certain malignancies, including gastric cancer, ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, as well as moderate sensitivity for biliary tract tumors, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Therefore, elevated CA 724 levels may indicate an increased risk of these malignant tumors. In addition to malignancies, elevated CA 724 levels can also be caused by benign conditions such as pancreatitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, chronic liver disease, and colitis. Although these conditions are not as serious as malignant tumors, they still require timely diagnosis and treatment.
When CA 724 levels are double the upper limit of normal, this indicates an increase in its concentration, which typically suggests the possible presence of health issues. Therefore, patients should pay sufficient attention and promptly seek further medical evaluation. However, elevated CA 724 levels alone cannot directly diagnose any specific disease. Physicians need to perform a comprehensive assessment by integrating the patient's clinical presentation, other test results, and medical history to determine whether a malignancy or other health condition exists.
Although CA 724 levels double the normal range are not considered extremely severe, they still warrant sufficient attention. Patients should promptly seek comprehensive medical evaluation and follow the physician's recommendations for further testing and treatment. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help reduce the risk of disease.