Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)

Suitable Specimen Types

Special Collection Procedures Apply

Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)

Specimen Volume

1mL blood (~250uL sample)

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

No special requirements

Sample Stability

5 days at 2-8°C

General Information

CA125 is a high molecular weight carbohydrate differentiation antigen of coelomic epithelial origin. It is identified as a 200 to 1000 kDa mucin-like glycoprotein which is sloughed or secreted from the surface of the ovary into the serum or ascites. The major fraction of the antigen has a molecular weight in excess of 200 kDa but smaller sub-components may also be detected which have immunological identity with the parent molecule.

CA125 is a reliable tumour marker for evaluating therapy and monitoring disease status in patients under treatment for ovarian cancer. Post-operatively, the level of CA125 correlates with tumour bulk where raised levels have been demonstrated in a pre or peri-operative sample. The specificity of the marker is such that it should not be used as a primary diagnostic test for ovarian carcinoma.

Patient Preparation

No special requirements. Serum only assay (yellow/red top vacutainer).

Notes

 

 

Reference Range

<35 kU/L

Source of Reference Range

Abbott Diagnostics

Specifications

  • EQA Status: IMMQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/ca125/tab/test

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Monday, 10 February 2020

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962