. CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) is a protein mainly produced by cells in the ovaries and surrounding tissues.
. While CA 125 is not a standalone screening test for ovarian cancer, it can aid in identifying individuals at high risk or those with symptoms that might indicate ovarian cancer. It can also be elevated in non-cancerous conditions like endometriosis, infections, and in some other cancers like lung or breast cancer.
. In cancers, this tumor marker is used as an aid in monitoring the recurrence/progression and assessing the response to therapy.
Note: CA 125 can vary from different manufacturers due to differences in assay methods and reagent specificity. Results obtained from different manufacturers cannot be used interchangeably.