Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
CA 125 is a protein that is a so-called
tumor marker or biomarker, which is a
substance that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other
cells of the body. In particular, CA 125 is present in greater concentration in
ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. It was first identified in the early 1980s, and the function of the CA 125 protein is not currently understood. CA stands for cancer antigen.
How is CA 125 measured?
CA 125 is usually measured from a blood sample. It can also be measured in
fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. The tests currently in use are all
based upon the use of an antibody that is directed against the CA 125 protein
(monoclonal antibody technique).
In 1996, an improved version of the test was introduced and is sometimes
denoted as CA 125 - II. The numerical figure of the second generation test
results may be higher or lower than a first generation test. When comparing
multiple test results over time, it can be important to know which method was
used.
What is the normal range for CA 125?
The normal values for CA 125 may vary slightly among individual laboratories.
In most laboratories, the normal value is less than 35 U /ml.
What does an elevated CA 125 mean, and how is the test used?
It is not possible to interpret the meaning of an abnormally high CA 125
without additional information about the particular patient being evaluated. The
reason is that blood levels of this protein can be increased in many different benign and
malignant conditions. The two most frequent situations in which CA 125 is used
is to monitor patients with a known
cancer (malignancy) or as one of several
tests in the workup of a patient suspected of having a tumor.
The most common use of the test is the monitoring of women with known cancer
of the ovary (ovarian cancer). In the patient who is known to have a malignancy,
such as ovarian cancer, the CA 125 level can be monitored periodically. A
decreasing level generally indicates that therapy, including chemotherapy, has
been effective, while an increasing level indicates tumor recurrence. Because of
test variation, small changes are usually not considered significant. A doubling
or halving of the previous value would be important.
In the patient who is being evaluated for a pelvic mass, a CA 125 level
greater than 65 is associated with malignancy in approximately 90% of cases.
However, without a demonstrable mass, the association is much weaker.
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due
to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small cell or non-small
cell cancers.
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms.
There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
Though uterine cancer's cause is unknown, there are many factors that will put a woman at risk, including: over age 50, endometrial hyperplasia, using hormone replacement therapy, obesity, using tamoxifen, being Caucasian, having colorectal cancer. Symptoms of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) include abnormal vaginal bleeding, painful urination, painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Treatment depends on staging and may include radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. Causes of ovarian cysts are numerous. Symptoms of an ovarian cysts may be pain in the belly or pelvis. Treatment of an ovarian cysts depends on type of cyst.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
The uterus is part of a woman's reproductive system. It's a hollow organ in
the pelvis.
The uterus has three parts:
Top: The top (fundus) of your uterus is shaped like a dome. From
the top of your uterus, the fallopian tubes extend to the ovaries.
Middle: The middle part of your uterus is the body (corpus). This
is where a baby grows.
Bottom: The narrow, lower part of your uterus is the cervix. The
cervix is a passageway to the vagina.
The wall of the uterus has two layers of tissue:
Inner layer: The inner layer (lining) of the uterus is the
endometrium. In women of childbearing age, the lining grows and thickens
each month to prepare for pregnancy. If a woman does not become pregnant,
the thick, bloody lining flows out of the body. This flow is a menstrual
period.
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