What does serum CA125 mean?

Under normal circumstances, serum CA125 is a glycoprotein tumor marker primarily used for the auxiliary diagnosis and treatment monitoring of ovarian cancer. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Serum CA125 is a glycoprotein mainly secreted by tissues such as ovarian epithelial cells, and its levels are normally low in the bloodstream. Testing for serum CA125 is important because changes in its levels can provide valuable information for disease diagnosis—for example, elevated serum CA125 levels are commonly observed in patients with ovarian cancer, which helps in assessing the condition. It also aids in monitoring treatment response; effective therapy typically leads to a decrease in CA125 levels, while a subsequent rise may indicate disease progression. Additionally, mild elevations can occur in certain benign conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, helping to differentiate between disease types.

In daily practice, it should be noted that an elevated serum CA125 level does not necessarily indicate cancer and must be interpreted in conjunction with imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scans. Healthy individuals do not need frequent testing; those with a family history of related diseases or experiencing relevant symptoms should undergo testing under medical guidance. If test results are abnormal, timely medical consultation is essential for further evaluation to avoid unnecessary anxiety from self-diagnosis.