New lab test
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I was reading a study on ovarian cancer and came across this information about a lab test that is mentioned as being useful for endometrial cancer as well. This is quoted
Laboratory Studies and Biomarkers
Serum laboratory testing should typically include a complete blood count and metabolic profile.[7] The American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend offering genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 to all women with epithelial ovarian cancer, and in patients with clear cell, endometrioid, or mucinous ovarian cancer subtypes, MMRd molecular testing should be offered.[30]
Tumor markers are usually measured in conjunction with imaging studies of patients with suspected malignancy. Human gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen tumor markers should be obtained to help exclude germ-cell and gastrointestinal malignancies.[22] Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a glycoprotein produced by Müllerian epithelium that is detectable by serum laboratory studies and the most recommended biomarker to evaluate suspected ovarian cancer. CA-125 levels are increased in most advanced epithelial ovarian cancer cases but are elevated only in 50% of early-stage disease cases; therefore, the sensitivity of this biomarker is limited. The specificity and positive predictive value are higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. A CA-125 level greater than 35 U/mL in a woman who is postmenopausal indicates a high malignancy risk. However, CA-125 is not specific to epithelial ovarian cancers as it can also be elevated in patients with other conditions, including pregnancy, nonovarian malignancies, and inflammatory pathologies (eg, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, adenomyosis, and endometriosis).[9]
Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a peptide protease inhibitor found in epididymal epithelium. Though not typically found in ovarian epithelium, HE4 is detected by serum laboratory studies in ovarian cancer tissue with a specificity of 96%. This biomarker is not diagnostic for ovarian cancer, though, as HE4 is also elevated in other malignancies (eg, endometrial cancer and lung adenocarcinomas). HE4 has a higher sensitivity than CA-125 in early-stage ovarian cancers and a higher specificity in late-stage disease. However, CA-125 has a higher sensitivity in late-stage ovarian cancers than HE4.[9]
The whole article is rather long, but informative.
Comments
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Thank you, Forherself. No matter where we are at in our journey, we need to continually educate ourselves.
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I wonder if they do a HE4 for endometrial cancer patients. It says it is more accurate than a CA 125 which some doctors still do.
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My CA 125 was 17 so I thought I was clear. Unfortunately, not the case - Stage 4. I wish there were more accurate cancer tests.
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