What is this test?
CA 72-4 may be elevated in some cancers of the stomach, ovaries and other organs. It is mainly used as a supplementary monitoring marker.
Why might it be ordered?
- To monitor treatment or change in a certain already established disease.
- As complementary information to imaging, endoscopic and other studies.
What sample is needed?
A healthcare professional collects a venous blood sample. Depending on the method, the laboratory uses serum or plasma.
How should you prepare?
Tell the laboratory about all medicines, hormone treatments, vitamins and supplements you take. Do not stop or change treatment unless your clinician tells you to. Follow any instructions about fasting and the time of collection.
How should you understand the result?
There may also be an increase in benign diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ovaries, liver or pancreas. A trend across consecutive measurements made with a comparable method is often more informative than a single value.
Sources and editorial status
This patient-facing text is an editorial draft. It should be approved by a laboratory physician before official publication.