What does cancer antigen 125 mean? What is the clinical significance of cancer antigen 125 examination?

What does cancer antigen 125 mean? There are many types of cancer nowadays, so what does cancer antigen 125 mean? It is a type of ovarian cancer. What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer? Let's take you to learn about these questions through the article below, and hope it may be helpful to everyone.

What does cancer antigen 125 mean?

The serum CA125 level in patients with ovarian cancer is significantly elevated. Its positive rate can reach 97%, so it has great clinical value in diagnosing ovarian cancer, especially in observing the effect of treatment and judging recurrence. Other cancers, such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, etc., also have certain positive reactions. In addition, 5% of patients with benign ovarian tumors and uterine fibroids sometimes have elevated serum CA125, but most of them do not exceed 100,000 u/L. Serum CA125 is significantly elevated in the decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis.

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer

1. Abdominal pain and back pain

Ovarian cancer infiltrates surrounding tissues or forms adhesions with adjacent tissues, compressing nerves and causing abdominal and back pain, which can range from dull pain to dull pain or even more severe pain.

2. Oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea

Most ovarian cancer patients do not have menstrual changes. If the normal ovarian tissue is destroyed by cancer cells, the patient's overall condition is poor, and oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea may occur.

3. Abdominal distension

Abdominal distension can be called a "red card" warning of ovarian cancer. Usually, it occurs when there is no abdominal mass. The reason is that the tumor itself compresses and stretches the surrounding ligaments in the abdominal cavity. In addition, the onset of ascites makes patients often feel bloated. Therefore, women with unexplained bloating (especially in menopause) should have a gynecological examination in time.

4. Sex Hormone Disorders

The pathology of ovarian cancer is complex and varied. Some tumors can secrete estrogen, and excessive estrogen can cause precocious puberty, menstrual disorders, or vaginal bleeding after menopause. For example, testicular prostate cancer can produce excessive androgen, causing women to show signs of masculinization.

5. Unexplained weight loss

As ovarian cancer grows, ascites forms, which can mechanically compress the gastrointestinal tract, causing the patient to eat less and have indigestion. In addition, cancer cells consume a large amount of nutrients from the human body, causing the patient to become increasingly thin, anemic, weak, and pale.

6. Edema of the lower limbs and vulva

Ovarian cancer grows and becomes fixed in the pelvic cavity, which may compress the pelvic veins or affect lymphatic drainage, causing edema of the lower limbs and vulva over time. At this time, the possibility of ovarian cancer "causing trouble" should be considered.