Quick answer
The CA-125 Test costs ₹1,600 at Live Line Health Care. A blood marker used mainly to follow treatment of ovarian cancer and to help assess an ovarian mass. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 hours. Book home sample collection or visit any of our 45 centres.
Also known as: CA 125, CA125, Cancer Antigen 125, Ovarian Cancer Marker, Serum CA-125, CA-125 Tumour Marker, Ovarian Tumour Marker
What is the CA-125 Test?
CA-125 (cancer antigen 125) is a protein found on the surface of many cells lining the abdomen and pelvis, including the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Its level in blood often rises in ovarian cancer, which is why it is called a tumour marker. But it also rises in many common conditions that are not cancer, such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic infection, menstruation, pregnancy, liver disease and fluid in the abdomen. So a raised CA-125 does not mean cancer, and a normal CA-125 does not rule it out.
Doctors use CA-125 as an aid, not as a test on its own. Its main job is following ovarian cancer during and after treatment, where a falling level suggests response and a rising level can be an early sign of recurrence. It is also used, together with an ultrasound and menopausal status, to judge how likely an ovarian mass is to be harmful and whether a specialist should operate. It is not recommended for screening women without symptoms, because it gives too many false alarms and misses many early cancers.
What it measures: The level of the CA-125 glycoprotein in serum, reported in U/mL.
Parameters included (1)
- CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)
Why is this test done?
- Monitoring response to treatment for ovarian cancer
- Watching for recurrence after ovarian cancer treatment
- Helping to assess an ovarian cyst or mass found on ultrasound, especially after menopause
- Investigating persistent symptoms such as bloating or pelvic pain, together with a scan
- Selected women at high genetic risk, under specialist advice
When should you get tested?
- Bloating or a swollen abdomen most days for more than 3 weeks
- Feeling full quickly, loss of appetite or pelvic or lower abdominal pain
- Needing to pass urine more often or urgently, with no infection
- An ovarian cyst or mass seen on an ultrasound
- You are under follow-up after treatment for ovarian cancer
How to prepare for the CA-125 Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2If you have periods, try to give the sample when you are not menstruating, as CA-125 can rise during a period.
- 3For follow-up, use the same lab each time where possible. Different methods can give different values, which can look like a change when there is none.
- 4Tell the staff if you are pregnant, have endometriosis, fibroids, liver disease or a recent abdominal operation.
CA-125 Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Adults | Below 35 U/mL |
| During periods or pregnancy | Can be higher without any disease |
A single value matters less than the trend over time. Some labs use different cut-offs, and values from different methods are not directly comparable. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A level above 35 U/mL is raised, but in women before menopause the most common reasons are benign: endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic infection, periods or pregnancy. Your doctor will relate it to your scan and symptoms.
- After menopause, a raised CA-125 together with an ovarian mass on ultrasound is taken more seriously, and your doctor may refer you to a gynaecological oncologist for further assessment.
- During ovarian cancer treatment, a steady fall is a good sign. A rise on two tests a few weeks apart may prompt a scan, but treatment decisions depend on the whole picture.
- A normal CA-125 does not rule out ovarian cancer. About half of early-stage ovarian cancers do not raise it. Persistent symptoms still need a doctor’s review.
- CA-125 can also rise in conditions outside the pelvis, such as liver cirrhosis, heart failure, pancreatitis and tuberculosis of the abdomen.
CA-125 Test – FAQs
What is the price of the CA-125 Test?
The CA-125 Test costs ₹1,600 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Does a high CA-125 mean I have ovarian cancer?
No. A raised CA-125 has many non-cancer causes, especially before menopause, including endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic infection, periods and pregnancy. It is only one clue. Your doctor will combine it with an ultrasound, your age and your symptoms before deciding whether more tests are needed.
Can CA-125 be used to screen for ovarian cancer?
Not for women without symptoms or a known high risk. Large studies show that routine CA-125 screening does not save lives, and it leads to unnecessary worry and surgery. Women with strong family histories or BRCA gene changes should discuss a personalised plan with a specialist.
Can a normal CA-125 rule out ovarian cancer?
No. Around half of early-stage ovarian cancers and some types of ovarian tumour do not raise CA-125. If you have persistent bloating, pelvic pain, early fullness or urinary changes, please see a doctor even if your CA-125 is normal.
Why is CA-125 high in endometriosis?
Endometriosis tissue and the inflammation it causes release CA-125 into the blood, so levels are often mildly raised, and sometimes clearly raised with large endometriotic cysts. Doctors do not use CA-125 to diagnose endometriosis, but it explains why many young women have a raised result without cancer.
How often is CA-125 checked after ovarian cancer treatment?
Your oncologist sets the schedule, often every few months in the first years and less often later. The trend matters more than any single value. Use the same lab where possible, and report new symptoms promptly rather than waiting for the next test.
Where can I get the CA-125 Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.