Tumor marker of stomach (CA 72-4)

Why this test? 

To monitor the effectiveness of gastric cancer treatment and to detect recurrences of the disease. 

To obtain information about the prevalence of the tumor process and the detection of gastric cancer metastases.

To monitor the effectiveness of mucinous ovarian cancer treatment. 

For differential diagnosis of malignant and benign neoplasms of the ovaries.

In what cases is it prescribed? 

In the initial diagnosis of stomach cancer together with other analyzes (to determine the nature of the disease and develop a plan for further treatment).

To monitor the results of treatment and detect recurrences of gastric cancer and mucinous ovarian cancer. 

When lung cancer and colorectal cancer is suspected in combination with other tumor markers.

Test information 

Cancer antigen CA 72-4 is a high-molecular-weight mucin-like glycoprotein that is produced in many fetal tissues and is normally not detected in an adult. 

CA 72-4 production increases in almost all patients with malignant tumors of glandular origin, especially in gastric cancer, mucinous ovarian cancer. 

CA 72-4 is produced by tumor cells and enters the blood, which makes it an effective tumor marker and allows monitoring the course of the disease. The level of CA 72-4 cancer antigen can also increase in tumors of other locations (colorectal cancer, lung cancer), liver diseases (hepatitis and cirrhosis), benign ovarian tumors (cysts), inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In this regard, the analysis for CA 72-4 is not used in diagnosis, as it does not have sufficient specificity: its increased concentration almost certainly indicates a tumor, but it does not allow to determine kind of tumor.