Female Tumour Markers

CEA is a protein that is normally produced during fetal development, but its production decreases significantly after birth. However, some cancer cells can produce CEA, and elevated levels in the blood may indicate the presence of certain cancers.

Elevated CEA levels may be associated with colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, and ovarian cancer. It is also useful for monitoring the response to cancer treatment and detecting recurrence.

Other conditions that may cause elevated CEA include inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and smoking. Your doctor will interpret results in context with your medical history.

CA125 is a protein that is often elevated in the blood of individuals with ovarian cancer, making it one of the most important markers for women's cancer screening.

CA125 may also be elevated in endometrial, fallopian tube, lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. It is commonly used to monitor ovarian cancer treatment and detect recurrence.

Non-cancerous conditions that may elevate CA125 include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, liver cirrhosis, and pregnancy. CA125 levels can also fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, so timing of the test may be considered.

CA19-9 measures levels of a specific carbohydrate antigen that is primarily elevated in pancreatic cancer. This test is an important screening tool for one of the most serious cancer types.

CA19-9 is most commonly used to help diagnose and monitor pancreatic cancer, but may also be elevated in bile duct, gallbladder, stomach, and colorectal cancers.

Non-cancerous conditions including liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and certain gastrointestinal disorders can also cause elevated CA19-9 levels.

CA15-3 is primarily used in the diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer. Elevated levels may indicate the presence of breast cancer, especially in advanced or metastatic disease.

This marker is particularly valuable for monitoring treatment response in breast cancer patients and detecting recurrence after treatment. However, it is not sensitive enough for early-stage breast cancer detection and should be used alongside other diagnostic tools such as mammograms.

CA15-3 levels can also be elevated in benign breast diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases, and certain gynaecological conditions.

Alpha Fetoprotein is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing fetus. In adults, elevated levels may indicate certain health conditions including cancer.

In females, elevated AFP may be indicative of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), ovarian cancer, or germ cell tumours. AFP is useful for monitoring treatment effectiveness in these conditions.

It's important to note that AFP levels can also be elevated during pregnancy, particularly during the second trimester. If you are pregnant, results should be interpreted with caution and in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. Liver disease (non-cancerous) can also cause elevated AFP.