CA 125 is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein.
Ovarian tumors associated with an elevated CA 125:
(1) serous or mucinous cystadenocarcinoma
(2) clear cell adenocarcinoma
(3) endometrioid adenocarcinoma
(4) undifferentiated carcinoma
(5) benign ovarian tumors (cystadenomas, dermoid tumor, fibroma, etc)
Other malignancies associated with an elevated CA 125:
(1) endometrium
(2) fallopian tube
(3) pancreas
(4) stomach
(5) colorectal
(6) lung
(7) liver
Other conditions associated with an elevated CA 125:
(1) menstruation
(2) first trimester of pregnancy
(3) endometriosis
(4) heterophile antibody (antibody to animal species used to develop the monoclonal protein such as HAMA)
(5) acute or chronic salpingitis
(6) uterine leiomyomata
(7) renal failure
(8) cirrhosis
(9) acute pancreatitis
(10) peritoneal or pleural inflammation
Men may have an elevated level without disease. It can be found in the seminal fluid.
