CA125 Levels: Implications for Lung Health and Beyond

CA125 test

The CA-125 value from the company's health check is 48.
Since I smoke, could this be related to lung issues? Most of the information I found seems to focus on gynecology, but some mention that abnormal values related to the gastrointestinal or lungs should be addressed.
I'm particularly concerned about lung health! The embryonic antigen is at a normal level of 1.
I'm quite worried! Thank you.

Meilexi, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2011/09/09

Dr. Huang Yiwen reply Pulmonology

Dear Meiluxi,
CA125 is a tumor marker that many women are familiar with, but may not fully understand.
Many people mistakenly believe that a CA125 level greater than 35 strongly indicates ovarian cancer, which can lead to unnecessary worry.
In reality, the most common condition associated with elevated CA125 levels is endometriosis, followed by adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pelvic adhesions, all of which are benign conditions.
Ovarian cancer is actually less common.
Additionally, if blood is drawn during menstruation, CA125 levels will naturally be elevated, so testing should ideally be done during the non-menstrual phase.
Even levels that are significantly elevated, such as above 65, can still be due to benign diseases rather than ovarian cancer.
Therefore, it is important to consider ultrasound examinations and age factors in order to make an accurate assessment.
There is little relation to the lungs; the only connection is that some patients with pulmonary tuberculosis may occasionally have elevated CA125 levels, which is rare.
It may be beneficial to consult both obstetrics and gynecology as well as pulmonology.
I hope this answers your questions.
Best regards,
Yuwen

Reply Date: 2011/09/09

More Info

CA125 is a tumor marker primarily associated with gynecological conditions, particularly ovarian cancer, but it can also be elevated in various benign and malignant conditions. A CA125 level of 48 U/mL is above the normal reference range, which is typically less than 35 U/mL. However, it is essential to understand that an elevated CA125 level does not automatically indicate cancer, especially in the absence of other clinical findings.

The most common reasons for elevated CA125 levels include conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, and even menstruation. In some cases, it can also be elevated in non-gynecological conditions, including liver disease, pancreatitis, and certain gastrointestinal disorders. While there are rare instances where lung conditions, such as tuberculosis, can lead to elevated CA125 levels, this is not common.

Given your concern about lung health, it is crucial to note that smoking can lead to various respiratory issues, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. However, the CA125 marker is not typically used to assess lung health. Instead, lung-related concerns are usually evaluated through imaging studies, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, and pulmonary function tests.

If you are worried about potential lung issues due to your smoking history, it would be advisable to consult a pulmonologist, a specialist in lung diseases. They can perform the necessary evaluations to assess your lung health and determine if any further investigations are needed.

In terms of your CA125 results, it would be prudent to follow up with a gynecologist, especially since CA125 is primarily a marker for gynecological conditions. They may recommend additional tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI, to investigate the cause of the elevated CA125 level further. It is also essential to consider your overall clinical picture, including any symptoms you may be experiencing, your medical history, and any family history of cancer.

Regarding the normal embryonic antigen level of 1, this is reassuring, as it indicates that there is no significant concern related to that marker. However, it is essential to interpret all these results in conjunction with clinical findings and other diagnostic tests.

In summary, while your elevated CA125 level warrants further investigation, it is not directly indicative of lung issues. Consulting both a gynecologist for the CA125 elevation and a pulmonologist for your lung health concerns would be the best course of action. Regular follow-ups and monitoring are crucial, especially considering your smoking history, to ensure that any potential health issues are addressed promptly.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Lung Nodules: What Elevated CA153 and CEA Levels Mean

Dear Dr. Huang, I would like to ask a few questions regarding my mother's condition. Here is the situation: My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago and underwent a right mastectomy. Since then, there has been no recurrence (the right axillary lymph nodes wer...

Dr. Huang Yiwen reply Pulmonology
Dear: Based on your description, it is most likely a recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer. Although CA 15-3 can be elevated in other cancers, it is more specific to breast cancer. Generally, the higher the tumor marker levels, the worse the prognosis. The purpose of monitor...

Understanding Elevated CA72-4 Levels: Next Steps for Evaluation

Dear Doctor, during my health check-up, my CA72-4 level was 11.1 (should be less than 6.89), but other markers such as CEA, AFP, CA19-9, CA125, CA153, and NSE were normal. An abdominal ultrasound showed moderate fatty liver. What further tests should I consider? Thank you.

Dr. Chen Shidian reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Hello, Miss: CA 72-4 is not officially included for medical diagnostic use, so there is no need to worry. If you have any symptoms, please seek medical examination. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian

Understanding Elevated CPK and CEA Levels: Health Implications and Lifestyle Tips

In the health check report, the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level is 142.00, and the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level is 6.300. Are these levels elevated, and what impact do they have on health? What should one pay attention to in daily life?

Dr. Cai Jueren reply Family Medicine
Hello: The values you provided do not have units attached, so I cannot give you an accurate answer. Typically, health check reports include units next to the data, and abnormal results are often indicated in red. CPK levels are generally referenced as 30-170, and CEA levels are &...

Understanding Cyfar21-1 Index in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Screening

Dear Doctor, I had a health check-up and my CYFRA 21-1 level for non-small cell lung cancer was 3.07, which is close to the normal value of 3.3. Should I undergo further testing? What does a high value signify? Am I considered to be in a high-risk group? Thank you.

Dr. Zhou Ziguang reply Pulmonology
Hello: Tumor marker tests are currently only used as a reference for clinical diagnosis and should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical examinations (such as chest X-rays). Further discussion with your pulmonologist is necessary. Sincerely, Dr. Chou Tzu-Kuang, Attend...