Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (780 page)

   
Normal range:
0–35 U/mL.

   Use

   CA-125 is recommended, together with transvaginal ultrasound, for early detection of ovarian cancer in women with hereditary syndromes because early intervention may be beneficial in these women. It is also recommended as an adjunct in distinguishing benign from malignant suspicious pelvic masses, particularly in postmenopausal women.

   It is not suggested for screening asymptomatic women.

   Measurements may also be used to monitor response to chemotherapeutic response.

   Interpretation

Increased Values

   Malignant disease

   Fallopian tube tumors (100%), nonmucinous epithelial ovarian carcinoma (85%), cervical adenocarcinoma (83%), endometrial adenocarcinoma (50%), and squamous cell carcinomas of vulva or cervix (<15%)

   Trophoblastic tumors (45%)

   Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (40%) with pleuropericardial or peritoneal involvement

   Cancers of the pancreas, liver, and lung

   Conditions that affect the endometrium

   Pregnancy (27%)