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Test Code C125 CA 125

Important Note

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Serum/Red Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

CA 125

All

All

<35 U/mL

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

86304

LOINC Codes

10334-1

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

8 hours

Refrigerated

5 days

Frozen

24 weeks

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Cancer Antigen 125

Clinical Indications

Immunoassay for the in vitro quantitative determination of CA 125 reactive determinants in human serum and plasma. These determinants are associated with a high molecular weight glycoprotein in serum and plasma of women with primary epithelial invasive ovarian cancer (excluding those with cancer of low malignant potential). Also indicated for use as an aid in the detection of residual or recurrent ovarian carcinoma in patients who have undergone first-line therapy and would be considered for second-look procedures. CA 125 II assay is further indicated for serial measurement of CA 125 to aid in the management of cancer patients.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.

  • The measured tumor marker value of a patient's sample can vary depending on the testing procedure and method used. Tumor marker values determined on patient samples by different testing procedures or methodologies cannot be directly compared with one another and could be the cause of erroneous medical interpretations.

  • Indicate if the patient is taking human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) therapy.  Such specimens may contain extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin or ruthenium and thus show either falselly elevated or depressed values when tested.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not available as STAT test

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

CA 125, Ovarian-Cancer Related Antibodies, Cancer Ag 125

Last Review Date

8/19/2024

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