| Test Name: | Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB155 |
| CPT Code: | 86304 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Serum; 1.0 mL |
| Acceptable Container(s): |   Tops are gold and red. |
| Testing Schedule: | Monday-Friday |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA |
| | Routine: 1-3 days |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain specimen by standard collection procedures. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab within 1 hour, centrifuge the specimen and remove serum from the red cells. Store and transport at 2 - 8° C. Specimen must be received in the lab within 7 days. If longer storage is required, store and transport the sample at -20° C for up to 30 days. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport, hemolysis. |
| Reference Range: | 0 - 35 U/mL |
| Additional Information: | Patients with confirmed ovarian carcinoma may have pretreatment CA 125 assay values in the same range as healthy individuals. Elevations in circulating OC 125 defined antigen may be observed in patients with nonmalignant disease. For these reasons, a CA 125 assay value, regardless of level, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence for the presence or absence of malignant disease. The CA 125 assay value should be used in conjunction with information available from clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures. |