Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g9CIlrX12256; Sat, 12 Oct 2002 14:47:53 -0400 (EDT) Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 14:47:53 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <sda83594.099@langate.gsu.edu> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2336] CA-125 blood test X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 6.0.2 Status: O Content-Length: 3169 Lines: 54 There has been an email floating around about primary peritoneal cancer and the tumor marker CA-125 blood test. According to the email, one out of every 55 women will get ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer and it is urged that women ask their doctors to run the CA-125 blood test as part of an annual physical exam. Apparently, this blood test is inexpensive and simple. This email prompted me to ask for more information about CA-125 on the NIFL-health literacy listserv. I have summarized the information for you. You may want to share this information in your health literacy classes: Primary peritoneal carcinoma, also called extraovarian primary peritoneal carcinoma (EOPPC) and serous surface papillary carcinoma, is a cancer closely related to epithelial ovarian cancer. It develops from cells that line the pelvis or abdomen, which are very similar to epithelial cells on the surface of the ovaries. Because EOPPC tends to spread along the surfaces of the pelvis and abdomen, it is often difficult to tell exactly where the cancer first started. Under a microscope, EOPPC looks just like epithelial ovarian cancer. Women who have had their ovaries removed can still develop this type of cancer. Symptoms of EOPPC are similar to those of ovarian cancer, including abdominal pain or bloating, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and a change in bowel habits. Also like ovarian cancer, EOPPC may cause an elevation in the tumor marker CA-125. Treatment for women with EOPPC usually includes surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, followed by chemotherapy like that given for ovarian cancer. Information on prognosis is limited since it is a newly recognized type of cancer, but early studies suggest that prognosis is similar to ovarian cancer. Blood tests for ovarian cancer may include measuring the amount of CA-125 (also known as OC-125). The amount of this protein in the blood is higher in many women with ovarian cancer. However, some noncancerous diseases of the ovaries can also increase the blood levels of CA-125, and some ovarian cancers may not produce enough CA-125 to cause a positive test result. When these test results are positive, it may be necessary to do more x-ray studies or to take samples of fluid from the abdomen or tissue from the ovaries to find out if a cancer is really present. Not all women with elevated CA 125 levels have ovarian cancer. CA 125 levels may also be elevated by cancers of the uterus, cervix, pancreas, liver, colon, breast, lung, and digestive tract. Noncancerous conditions that can cause elevated CA 125 levels include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, peritonitis, pancreatitis, liver disease, and any condition that inflames the pleura (the tissue that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity). Menstruation and pregnancy can also cause an increase in CA 125. To find out more, check out the FAQ on CA-125 in ovarian cancer at: http://pathology2.jhu.edu/ovca/ca125q&a.cfm Daphne Greenberg Associate Director Center for the Study of Adult Literacy Georgia State University University Plaza Atlanta, GA 30303-3083 phone: 404-651-0127 fax:404-651-4901 dgreenberg@gsu.edu
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