CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer)
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About CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer)
CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer) test is done to measure the amount of carbohydrate antigen (CA 72-4) in the blood. CA 72-4 acts as a serum tumour marker for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. However, elevated levels of this marker are also found in other malignancies such as lung cancer.
Thus, getting your CA 72-4 test done can help in the early detection and treatment of gastric cancer.
Symptoms Of Gastric (Stomach) Cancer
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Unexplained weight loss
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Severe abdominal pain
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Nausea and vomiting
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Loss of appetite
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Vomiting blood
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Tarry (dark and sticky) stool
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Difficult or painful swallowing
What Is a CA 72-4 Test Used For?
CA 72-4 test is done in individuals who are suffering from:
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Gastric cancer
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Lung cancer
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Liver cirrhosis
Test preparation:
No special preparation is required for CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer) test. Make sure your doctor is aware about the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or dietary supplements you might be taking. Ask your doctor about pre-test preparations, and make sure to follow instructions carefully.
Interpretation of the Test Results
Normal range of CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer) is < 6.9 unit/mL (U/mL).
Deviations from normal levels indicate the following:
Elevated levels of CA 72-4 do not necessarily confirm the presence of gastric cancer. This is because other medical conditions, such as gastric ulcers, gastric polyps, and atrophic gastritis, can also lead to higher-than-normal levels of CA 72-4. To obtain a reliable diagnosis for gastric cancer, it is essential to combine this test with other tumor-associated antigen (TAA) tests, such as CEA, CA 125, etc.
FAQs on CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer)
Risks associated with this test are slight. There may be slight bruises or tenderness around the area where the needle was inserted. This usually resolves on its own in a few hours or a couple of days.
This test requires a small quantity of blood to be drawn by inserting a fine needle in a vein in the arm. The entire process is over within 5 minutes.
The test results of CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer) are usually available within 3 working days after the collection of the blood sample. However, this duration may vary depending upon the diagnostic clinic.
At Stage 4, most cancers are incurable. The same applies for gastric cancer wherein most gastric cancer treatments are only palliative and meant to reduce pain and provide comfort to the patient as opposed to eliminating the disease.
CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer) acts as a tumour marker for various human adenocarcinomas. It has good specificity for gastric cancer and can be used to identify relapses of the disease as well.
CA 72-4 (Gastric Cancer)
