125 Blood Test

My sister-n-law has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had a pap smear about 2 years ago. Maybe if the CA-125 blood test was part of the normal check-up woman could be diagnosed sooner. And why isn't there more information given to women to tell them that a pap smear does not test for ovarian cancer just cervical cancer.

The CA-125 test is not designed to be a screening test to detect ovarian cancer. I wish we had one. This test is strictly to monitor a patient. It is not a confirmation test either. Diagnostic is strictly on histology/ pathology samples.

The are also a good percentage of Ovarian cancers that do not produce that specific tumor marker.
I am sorry to say this, but right now there is nothing better to screen than a thin- pap test.

I am 20+ year in the medical technology field

2006-10-12 07:26:22 by MrsBear

Wednesday June 3rd, 2009 - 1st Wednesday of the month in Minnesota. Most of the Allertors and other sirens in Eden Prairie are this blood red ...

My mother has Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer and is not doing well. She is extremely concerned that I may have inherited it. She wants me to take a CA125 blood test asap. We have lost our home, business and insurance in the last year and a half, and are in a bad financial position. Does anyone know where I can get a CA-125 blood test very inexpensively to help put her mind at ease?

Thanks very much...

The CA 125 is not very accurate. I believe that is has recently been excluded from some insurance plans. You would be better served by going to a free/low cost facility and have a complete check up.
I have ovarian cysts (rarely cancerous) and, as a result, have had several ultrasounds to check. Even those are not 100%. The only prevention is a complete hysterectomy. You don't give your age, but you might be eligible for some child's insurance in your state. Such a shame! I have excellent insurance, and you have none. I wish I could share. I suggest that you go to Mayoclinic. com and check all the symptoms etc. about ovarian cancer. Another good source is webmd.com.
Wish I could make another suggestion. If you could qualify for insurance, an ultrasound would be the best choice but probably 3-400$$$.

Sorry. I have had friends die of that disease, overlooked by their doctors. So sad.
Another low cost option is to go to ratemds.com and ask a dr. your question. It would cost you maybe $10 but might put your mother's mind to rest. As far as I know, it isn't inherited nor is it found in young women. But who knows???

My best to you. Wish cancer was gone. In the meantime, maybe US will provide some low cost ins. in the future. Not fair that I have it; you don't. Yes, I pay for it, but at least I can get it and can afford it.

2009-09-01 14:35:39 by Debbie W

Price: $18.99 $8.93

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Doctor's Best

regarding stage 4 ovarian cancer. It is in colon they had to recontruct it. then it has two spots on liver, spleen. The Ca-125 only went down from 700 to 600 after two chemo treatments. Now after 3 treatments it has gone down 2/3 from the 700 number. Is that good? thanks

Yes, it means that the chemo is actively working on the tumor. !! Great news.

2009-02-19 15:22:41 by motherofthree

Price: $9.98

like if the cancer has spread to the bowels can you still have a normal ca125 level of under 35? any answers will be appreciated.
hi doctor thanks. ca 125 sucks.

Yes, it is possible. The CA125 test is not perfect. None of our blood tests for malignancies are perfect.
But - if she had a very high CA125 before treatment and this came down to normal with treatment, it would be unlikely for her to have bulky residual disease invading local structures such as the bowel wall.
Best of luck to your sister.
A normal CA125 (if it was elevated before) is a good sign.
The CA125 is fairly good and not often wrong.
As test go, this one has fairly good reliability, but it is a mistake to think this or any test is perfect.

2008-09-07 01:30:14 by do not like trolls

As a result surgery will be in a couple of weeks, a mass is to be removed.

CA 125

CA125 is an antigen present on 80 percent of nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas. It is defined by a monoclonal antibody ( OC125 ) that was generated by immunizing laboratory mice with a cell line established from human ovarian carcinoma. It circulates in the serum of patients with ovarian carcinoma and was therefore investigated for possible use as a marker.

CA125 is often elevated in patients with ovarian cancer, its level following the patient's clinical course. With surgical resection or chemotherapy, the level correlates with patient response. Thus, it is superior to other markers such as CEA.

The CA125 is elevated in other cancers including endometrial, pancreatic, lung, breast, and colon cancer, and in menstruation, pregnancy, endometriosis, and other gynecologic and non gynecologic conditions.

Because of the low prevalence of ovarian cancer, the test is not itself useful in screening.

2007-02-10 16:42:13 by ddy'sgrl77