How high is CA 72-4 in cancer?
Disease description:
Two days ago I went to the hospital for a checkup and found that my carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) level was elevated. I'm a bit scared. Could you please tell me how high the CA724 level needs to be to indicate cancer?
Carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) is a tumor marker, with a normal reference range generally between 0 and 6.7 μg/L. Elevated levels of CA724 may suggest the presence of certain tumors in the body, although it is not a specific indicator. When CA724 levels increase by three to five times or even more significantly, there should be a high suspicion of possible malignancy, particularly in relation to gastric cancer. It is important to note that an elevated CA724 level does not necessarily indicate cancer, as other factors such as infection or inflammation can also cause its elevation. Therefore, when CA724 levels are elevated, a comprehensive evaluation combining imaging studies and clinical manifestations should be conducted to establish a definitive diagnosis. Additionally, patients with abnormally elevated CA724 levels should undergo regular follow-up testing to monitor trends in the marker's levels.