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Key information: evaluating tumor volume in the body; primarily used for monitoring recurrence
CA-125 (Cancer Antigen-125)--a tumor marker useful for monitoring for ovarian cancer by measuring an antigen to epithelial neoplasms circulating in blood serum.
Normal range: 0 - 35 U/mL. Normal range may vary somewhat according to institutional experience. Levels above 35 suggest the presence of ovarian tumor.
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)--a blood test measuring the presence of an antigen in malignancies arising in entodermal (embryonic) or gastrointestinal tissue. CEA assay is non specific for identifying a primary site, but it does indicate the presence of malignancy. Smokers may have an elevated CEA without malignant disease.
Normal range: < 2.5 ng/ml. Normal range may vary somewhat according to institutional experience. Levels > 10 ng/ml suggest extensive disease and levels > 20 ng/ml suggest metastatic disease.
TPA (Tissue Polypeptide Antigen)--an antigen marker for cancers of gynecologic sites, bladder, and lung; non-specific to ovarian cancer; elevated levels indicate presence of malignancy.
Alpha-fetoprotein: A serum test used as a tumor marker for teratoma or embryonal carcinoma of the ovary. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels are not found in other histologies of ovarian cancer, although they may be found in patients with hepatocellular cancer. Note: Observe the date of an alpha-fetoprotein study carefully. Record a pre-operative study only. Alpha-fetoprotein is also used as a marker postoperatively to monitor residual tumor. Also called: aFP, AFP, alpha-fetoglobulin. Normal range: Adults: < 15 ng/ml.
Beta Subunit HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): A serum test used as a tumor
marker for germ cell ovarian carcinoma. When the presence of B-HCG is detected
in serum it always indicates a malignancy. Also called: ?-HCG, beta-HCG,
beta chain HCG. Note: Observe the date of the beta-HCG study carefully. Record
a pre-operative study only. Beta-HCG is also used as a marker postoperatively
to monitor residual tumor and the effectiveness of therapy. In patients with
germ cell ovarian cancer who have had an oophorectomy, the presence of beta-HCG
will confirm the patient has residual cancer that requires further treatment.
However, when beta-HCG does not exist in the serum, the presence of active
cancer cannot be excluded, especially in patients who have been previously
treated. Normal range: 0 ng/ml.
Go to the Tumor
Markers page of the Diagnostic Tests module for more information.