Test Directory

• Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)

Monitor the course of ovarian cancer, patient response to treatment, and disease recurrence. Serum Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) concentrations are elevated in about 80% of women with carcinoma of the ovary, 26% of women with benign ovarian tumors, and 66% of women with non-neoplastic conditions, but in only 3% of normal healthy women. CA 125 should not be used alone to diagnose or screen for cancer, but it is useful for monitoring patients with an established diagnosis of a gynecological malignancy that is associated with elevated CA 125 at diagnosis.

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Collection Container: Gold Top, Serum Separator

Alternate Collection Container: Red Top, Separator

Minimum Acceptable Volume: 0.8 mL

Separator tubes: Contains clot activator and gel for separating serum from cells, but not anticoagulant. Separate serum from cells as soon as the clot has formed (30 minutes). If specimen is centrifuged before clotting is complete, a fibrin clot will form on top of the cell. This may cause the gel barrier to not be intact and could cause improper separation of serum and cells, possibly affecting test results.

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.

HNL Lab Medicine Chemistry Reference Intervals