CA-125 is primarily used to monitor treatment response in which cancer?

CA-125 is primarily used to monitor treatment response in which cancer?

• A. Ovarian carcinoma
• B. Colorectal cancer
• C. Prostatic cancer
• D. Breast cancer

Answer: (A)

CA-125 is a tumor marker that reflects tumor burden in ovarian epithelial cancer. Because ovarian carcinomas often produce CA-125, measuring it over time during and after treatment helps clinicians gauge how well therapy is working and to watch for recurrence. A decreasing CA-125 level during treatment typically indicates a favorable response, while a rising level can signal progression or relapse. This marker is not perfect or specific enough for screening, since it can be elevated in benign conditions (like endometriosis or liver disease) and in non-ovarian situations. Colorectal cancer is usually monitored with imaging and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels; prostatic cancer relies on PSA levels; and breast cancer is commonly tracked with markers such as CA 15-3 or CEA rather than CA-125.

CA-125 is a tumor marker that reflects tumor burden in ovarian epithelial cancer. Because ovarian carcinomas often produce CA-125, measuring it over time during and after treatment helps clinicians gauge how well therapy is working and to watch for recurrence. A decreasing CA-125 level during treatment typically indicates a favorable response, while a rising level can signal progression or relapse. This marker is not perfect or specific enough for screening, since it can be elevated in benign conditions (like endometriosis or liver disease) and in non-ovarian situations.

Colorectal cancer is usually monitored with imaging and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels; prostatic cancer relies on PSA levels; and breast cancer is commonly tracked with markers such as CA 15-3 or CEA rather than CA-125.