Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)

CA-125 (Cancer Antigen) Test, Carbohydrate Antigen (CA-125) Test

Test Overview

A cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells. It also can be found in other cancers and in small amounts in normal tissue. A CA-125 test measures the amount of this protein in the blood.

CA-125 is used as a tumor marker, which means the test can help show if some types of cancer are present. Most often, the CA-125 test is used to check how well treatment for ovarian cancer is working or to see if ovarian cancer has returned.

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Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: June 9, 2009
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
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