What cancer is indicated by elevated CA 125 levels?

Elevated CA 125 levels are primarily associated with ovarian cancer. CA 125 is a protein that is often found in higher concentrations in the blood of women with certain types of cancer, particularly epithelial ovarian carcinoma. While CA 125 can also be elevated in conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and in some benign ovarian tumors, its most significant association is with ovarian cancer.

This biomarker is not typically used to screen for cancer in the general population but can be helpful in monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence in patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Understanding the specificity of CA 125 in relation to ovarian cancer is critical for laboratory professionals and clinicians when interpreting test results and formulating clinical plans.

Other cancers listed do not have a direct correlation with CA 125 levels as ovarian cancer does, which emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the significance of this marker in the context of gynecological malignancies specifically.