Cancer Antigen 125
Private Cancer Antigen 125 blood test in London for £144, measuring one tumour marker with results expected in approximately 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Cancer Antigen 125
The Cancer Antigen 125 blood test measures Cancer Antigen 125, commonly abbreviated to CA-125, a tumour-associated protein most widely used in the investigation and monitoring of ovarian cancer.
CA-125 is produced by tissues derived from the coelomic epithelium, including structures within the female reproductive and abdominal cavities. Concentrations can increase when these tissues are affected by malignant, inflammatory or other physiological processes.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Cancer Antigen 125.
One of the principal clinical uses of CA-125 is the investigation of symptoms that could be associated with ovarian cancer. Where the result is raised, further assessment may include pelvic and abdominal ultrasound and specialist review.
CA-125 is also widely used in people with previously diagnosed ovarian cancer to monitor response to treatment and assess changes in disease activity over time.
Importantly, CA-125 is not specific to ovarian cancer. Concentrations can increase with benign conditions including endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver disease and ascites, as well as during menstruation and pregnancy.
A normal result also does not completely exclude ovarian cancer.
For these reasons, CA-125 should not be interpreted as a standalone cancer test. The result is most useful when considered alongside symptoms, age, menopausal status, imaging, previous results and appropriate clinical assessment.
What Does the Cancer Antigen 125 Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Cancer Antigen 125
Measures CA-125, a tumour-associated protein commonly used in the investigation and monitoring of ovarian cancer. Elevated concentrations can also occur in several benign gynaecological, abdominal and inflammatory conditions, so the result should not be interpreted independently.
Who May Benefit From the Cancer Antigen 125 Test?
This test may be suitable for people with symptoms or clinical findings requiring investigation for ovarian or pelvic disease, as well as people with known ovarian cancer undergoing specialist monitoring.
Persistent abdominal bloating - Frequent or persistent abdominal distension can form part of the symptom profile considered during ovarian cancer investigation.
Pelvic or abdominal pain - Persistent unexplained discomfort may lead to CA-125 testing alongside clinical assessment and imaging.
Feeling full quickly when eating - Early satiety can occur with several gastrointestinal and pelvic conditions and may justify further investigation when persistent.
Persistent loss of appetite - Unexplained appetite changes may form part of a wider assessment where ovarian disease is being considered.
Increased urinary urgency or frequency - New or persistent urinary symptoms can occasionally accompany pelvic disease and may warrant further assessment.
Known ovarian cancer - Serial CA-125 measurement can provide useful information during treatment and follow-up where the tumour produces the marker.
Monitoring response to ovarian cancer treatment - Falling or rising CA-125 concentrations may provide supplementary information alongside imaging and clinical findings.
Previously elevated CA-125 - Repeat testing may help determine whether an earlier abnormal result persists or changes over time.
Specialist-requested tumour marker testing - The test can be arranged privately where a gynaecologist, oncologist or GP has specifically requested CA-125 measurement.
How to Prepare
Do not make decisions about cancer treatment or further investigation solely from a CA-125 result.
Providing information about menstruation, pregnancy, previous imaging and previous CA-125 results can substantially improve clinical interpretation.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Cancer Antigen 125 Test
You may wish to consider the Cancer Antigen 125 test where persistent symptoms or clinical findings raise concern about ovarian or pelvic disease.
Persistent abdominal bloating - Bloating that occurs frequently or does not settle may warrant clinical investigation.
Pelvic or lower abdominal pain - Persistent discomfort can occur with many benign gynaecological and gastrointestinal conditions as well as malignancy.
Feeling full quickly - Early satiety can occur when abdominal or pelvic conditions affect appetite or abdominal capacity.
Loss of appetite - Persistent unexplained appetite reduction should be considered alongside other symptoms.
Increased urinary urgency - A need to urinate more urgently than usual can occasionally accompany pelvic abnormalities.
Increased urinary frequency - Passing urine more frequently without another explanation may form part of a wider symptom assessment.
Unexplained change in abdominal size - Progressive abdominal swelling can occur with ascites or pelvic masses and requires clinical evaluation.
Known ovarian cancer requiring monitoring - Repeat CA-125 testing may be used alongside imaging and oncology review during treatment or follow-up.
These symptoms are common and can have many causes other than ovarian cancer. A CA-125 blood test cannot determine the cause of symptoms by itself.
CA-125 may also rise during menstruation, pregnancy, endometriosis, benign ovarian cysts, inflammatory pelvic disease, ascites and some liver conditions.
Persistent abdominal swelling, significant unexplained weight loss, severe pelvic pain or rapidly worsening symptoms should be assessed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on a tumour-marker result alone.
How to Book Your Cancer Antigen 125 Test
Booking your Cancer Antigen 125 test with London Blood Tests is simple and designed to fit around your schedule.
Choose the Cancer Antigen 125
Select the Cancer Antigen 125 test online and review the included tumour marker before booking.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw (+£35) or a home or hotel phlebotomy visit (+£60) where a qualified phlebotomist collects your sample.
Attend your appointment
A trained professional will collect your blood sample safely and efficiently at the clinic or during your arranged home or hotel visit.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is sent to the laboratory, where Cancer Antigen 125 is measured using specialist tumour-marker analysis.
Receive your results securely
Your results are sent securely by email, ready to review yourself or discuss with a GP, gynaecologist, oncologist or other suitably qualified healthcare professional.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected turnaround time for the Cancer Antigen 125 test is approximately 1 business day after your sample arrives at the laboratory.
Results are sent securely by email once laboratory analysis and authorisation are complete. Turnaround therefore begins when the laboratory receives the sample rather than necessarily from the time your blood is collected.
Additional laboratory review or repeat analysis may occasionally extend the expected turnaround.
Understanding Your Results
Your Cancer Antigen 125 result shows the concentration of CA-125 measured in your blood according to the laboratory method and reference criteria used.
A commonly used laboratory threshold is approximately 35 kU/L, although interpretation should always follow the reference information provided with your report.
An elevated result does not mean that ovarian cancer is present.
CA-125 can rise with endometriosis, menstruation, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver disease, ascites and other benign conditions.
It may also increase in malignancies other than ovarian cancer.
A normal CA-125 result does not completely exclude ovarian cancer because some ovarian tumours produce little or no CA-125, particularly during earlier disease.
Where CA-125 is being used to monitor established ovarian cancer, serial trends are generally more useful than one isolated measurement.
Falling concentrations may accompany treatment response, while sustained or rising concentrations can lead to additional clinical assessment or imaging.
The result should therefore be interpreted alongside symptoms, examination findings, ultrasound or other imaging and the wider clinical context.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private CA-125 testing in London - Access specialist Cancer Antigen 125 testing through London Blood Tests.
Targeted ovarian tumour-marker measurement - Measure CA-125 independently where it has been specifically requested.
Relevant to ovarian cancer investigation - CA-125 can form part of the diagnostic pathway when persistent symptoms raise concern about ovarian disease.
Useful for treatment monitoring - Serial CA-125 measurements can provide additional information in people with established ovarian cancer.
Fast laboratory turnaround - Results are expected approximately 1 business day after the laboratory receives the sample.
Specialist laboratory analysis - Your sample is processed using dedicated tumour-marker testing methods.
Clinic and home visit options - Choose an in-clinic blood draw or arrange home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability.
Secure results by email - Receive your authorised laboratory result securely once analysis is complete.
Clear pricing before booking - The Cancer Antigen 125 test is priced at £144, with sample collection charges shown separately.
Private Cancer Antigen 125 Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides the Cancer Antigen 125 blood test in London for people requiring targeted CA-125 measurement as part of ovarian or pelvic investigation or specialist cancer monitoring.
The test costs £144 and measures one biomarker: Cancer Antigen 125.
CA-125 is particularly associated with epithelial ovarian cancer but can also rise in several benign gynaecological, abdominal and inflammatory conditions.
Clinic appointments are available alongside home and hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability, providing flexible options for people looking for a private CA-125 blood test in London.
A CA-125 result should not be interpreted independently. Further investigation may include ultrasound, specialist gynaecological assessment and other investigations depending on symptoms and clinical findings.