A 45-year-old member asked:
not long ago found out that many times blood test called 'ca125" can tell if you have cancer.is it true?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Myron Arlen answered
Surgical Oncology 64 years experience
No: Ca 125 is a tumor marker which is frequently associated with ovarian cancer. The " Ca" refers to carbohydrate antigen which has little to do with cancer except when it is known that ovarian cancer is present. At that time the test can be used, for "monitoring" the response to treatment, but not for making the diagnosis. One of the frequent causes of an elevated Ca125 is alcoholic cirrhosis.
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Last updated Feb 6, 2018
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