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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffResults of the CA 125 test are measured in units per milliliter (U/mL). The normal range for CA 125 is less than 35 U/mL.
If your CA 125 level is higher than normal, and you haven't been previously diagnosed with cancer, the test result could mean that you have ovarian, endometrial or fallopian tube cancer. But remember, CA 125 is not a definitive diagnostic test for cancer. Many other common conditions, such as endometriosis or any other inflammation in the pelvis or abdominal cavity, can cause CA 125 to rise. Your doctor will need to evaluate the CA 125 test results along with those of other tests, or additional tests may be necessary to determine next steps.
If you've been previously diagnosed with ovarian, endometrial or fallopian tube cancer, a decreasing CA 125 level often indicates that the cancer is responding to treatment. A rising CA 125 level may indicate a return or continued growth of the cancer.
For specifics about what your CA 125 test results mean, talk with your doctor.
- CA-125. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ca125/. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Tumor markers: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/tumor-markers. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Carlson KJ. Screening for ovarian cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb 23, 2009.
- Memarzadeh S, et al. Cancer of the fallopian tube. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb 23, 2009.
- How is endometrial cancer diagnosed? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_endometrial_cancer_diagnosed.asp?rnav=cri. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Ovarian cancer: Why screening isn't routine. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SPC/content/SPC_1_ovarian_Q_A_Saslow.asp. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Laboratory reference values. CA125. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; March 2009.
