CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) is a tumour marker measured in blood and is commonly used in the investigation of suspected ovarian cancer. CA 125 is produced by some ovarian cancer cells, but raised levels can also occur in benign conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pregnancy. Therefore, CA 125 is not a screening test, but is used alongside clinical assessment and imaging to support diagnosis, monitor treatment response, or detect disease recurrence.
Cancer Antigen 125
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Clinical Details
A 125
A 125 is primarily used in the investigation and management of suspected ovarian cancer. It is not a screening test but is requested when symptoms such as persistent bloating, abdominal pain, early satiety, or urinary frequency raise clinical concern.
Elevated CA 125
Elevated CA 125 levels support further investigation (for example, ultrasound or referral to gynaecology), but do not confirm cancer, as levels may also be raised in benign conditions including endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, pregnancy, or menstruation. CA 125 may be normal in early ovarian cancer, and repeat testing may be required if symptoms persist. It is also used to monitor treatment response and detect recurrence in patients with known ovarian cancer.
Case Study
Delivering True Innovation
At Enfer Medical, we have integrated a cutting-edge and fully automated WASPLab® (Walk Away Specimen Processor) that has significantly enhanced our testing capabilities to ensure the highest of quality when processing patient samples.
Our Services
Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
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Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
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Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
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Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
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Sample Type &
Volume Required
Venous serum 5ml
Enfer Medical
Tests/Assays
Abbott
Patient
Request Form
For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.
Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.
24 hours
Results available next working day.
7 Days a Week
This assay is available seven days a week.
Packaging
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
- Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
- Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
- Outer container protects the secondary container.
- Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Storage & Stability
Testing should be done with 3 days and is stable for 5 days when stored at 2-8
Transporting
Samples
Samples
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
Acceptance/Rejection
of Samples
of Samples
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
- Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
- Incorrect sample type received.
- Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
- Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
- Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
Clients will be provided with guidance on Sample Receipt Anomalies.
Our Services
Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Result Values:
Quantitative results for CA125 are reported in numeric value in U/ml . Please contact us for more information on the reference ranges used at Enfer Medical.
Accessing
Your Results
Following receipt at the laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Client Portal or in a format agreed with clients.
Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.