IHC Marker - CA 125: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - CA 125: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CA 125 IHC, Cancer Antigen 125 Immunohistochemistry, MUC16 IHC, OC125 IHC |
| Sample Type | Tissue Collection (FFPE tissue block) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Primarily females and patients with suspected ovarian, endometrial or other gynaecological malignancies; also used to identify tumour origin in metastatic cancers |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker – CA 125?
The IHC marker – CA 125 test detects the presence of the cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) protein directly in tissue samples using a laboratory technique called 'immunohistochemistry' (IHC). A doctor may order this test when a biopsy or surgical specimen needs to be examined for signs of ovarian or other gynaecological cancers. The sample used is a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block collected during a prior biopsy or surgery. This test is also known as CA 125 IHC or MUC16 IHC.
What Does an IHC Marker – CA 125 Measure?
The IHC marker - CA 125 test analyses tissue sections to detect whether the CA 125 protein is present and where it appears within the cells. CA 125, also called MUC16, is a large glycoprotein (a sugar-coated protein) found in the cells lining certain organs and in many ovarian tumours.
The test looks for the following:
| Component | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| CA 125 protein expression | Whether CA 125 is present in the tumour tissue |
| Staining pattern | Whether staining is cytoplasmic (inside the cell) or extracellular (at the cell surface) |
| Extent of staining | How many cells in the sample are positive |
| Staining intensity | Whether the expression is weak, moderate or strong |
CA 125 is expressed in more than 80% of non-mucinous epithelial ovarian cancers. It is also found in tumours arising from Müllerian-origin tissues, including the fallopian tubes and peritoneum. The distribution and intensity of staining help the pathologist assess the type and likely origin of the tumour.
Why is an IHC Marker – CA 125 Done?
This test is ordered when a pathologist needs to determine the nature of tumour tissue or confirm its likely site of origin. It forms part of a broader diagnostic workup alongside clinical findings and imaging studies.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend the IHC marker - CA 125 test when a patient presents with the following symptoms:
- Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
- Bloating that does not resolve
- A pelvic mass detected on examination or imaging
- Difficulty eating or feeling full very quickly
- Unexplained changes in bladder or bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
- Postmenopausal or abnormal vaginal bleeding
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The CA 125 IHC marker helps identify or confirm several conditions, including:
- Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (serous, endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous types)
- Endometrial carcinoma
- Fallopian tube carcinoma
- Primary peritoneal carcinoma
- Metastatic carcinomas of unknown origin, to help determine the tissue source
- Certain non-gynaecological cancers, including those of the pancreas, breast, colon, lung and thyroid
IHC Marker - CA 125 for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test may be used alongside clinical assessment when evaluating disease progression or recurrence in patients already diagnosed with ovarian cancer. IHC testing on new tissue biopsies can help a pathologist assess whether cancer has returned or changed in character. Your oncologist will advise how frequently tissue-based review is needed based on your treatment history.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is required for this test. However, there are a few practical steps to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for the CA 125 IHC test. There are no dietary restrictions before this test. Since this is a tissue-based test rather than a blood or urine test, food and drink do not affect the sample or the result.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are a few things to organise before your appointment:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results and family history, as this is required for the test
- Provide the original histopathology report from your prior biopsy or surgery
- Ensure the FFPE tissue block or unstained slides from your previous biopsy are available and properly labelled
- Inform your pathologist about any prior cancer treatments, chemotherapy or surgical procedures
- Confirm that the tissue was fixed in formalin; if a different fixative was used, note this on the request form
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how a tissue sample is processed for CA 125 IHC testing:
- Your doctor or surgeon collects tissue during a biopsy or surgical procedure. The tissue is fixed in formalin to preserve its structure.
- The fixed tissue is embedded in paraffin wax to create an FFPE block. This block is then submitted to the laboratory along with any existing unstained slides.
- Laboratory staff cut very thin slices of the tissue (approximately 4 to 5 microns thick) and mount them on glass slides.
- An antigen retrieval step is performed to unmask CA 125 protein sites that may have been obscured during fixation.
- CA 125-specific antibodies are applied to the tissue sections. These antibodies bind selectively to the CA 125 protein when present.
- A chromogenic or fluorescent label is added so that the antibody binding becomes visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and prepares a written report describing the staining results.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality of the test result:
- Poor or inadequate fixation of the tissue before embedding
- An insufficient amount of tissue in the block
- Variations in antibody quality or concentration
- Variability in the antigen retrieval technique used
- Heterogeneous (uneven) staining across different areas of the tumour
- Prior treatments, such as chemotherapy, which may alter protein expression in tissue
- Pathologist experience in interpreting IHC staining patterns
Understanding Your IHC Marker - CA 125 Results
Results from the IHC marker – CA 125 test are reported by a pathologist as either positive or negative, with a description of staining intensity and distribution. Results must always be reviewed alongside clinical history, imaging findings, and other pathology tests.
| Parameter | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| CA 125 IHC Staining | Positive (staining present) | CA 125 protein detected in the tissue sample |
| CA 125 IHC Staining | Negative (no staining) | CA 125 protein not detected in the tissue sample |
A positive result may suggest ovarian, endometrial, fallopian tube, or peritoneal carcinoma, among other possibilities. A negative result does not rule out cancer, as approximately 10 to 20% of advanced ovarian cancers do not express CA 125.
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
A few conditions can affect how results are interpreted:
- Benign gynaecological conditions: The CA 125 protein can be elevated in endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and early pregnancy, which may influence tissue staining patterns.
- Tumour heterogeneity: Staining may vary across different parts of the same tumour, meaning one section may test positive while another does not.
- Mucinous ovarian carcinoma: This subtype is frequently negative for CA 125, so a negative result in this setting is not unexpected.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While this test is diagnostic rather than a routine screening tool, these general wellness steps are advisable for those at elevated risk:
- Attend regular gynaecological check-ups, particularly if you have a personal or family history of ovarian or endometrial cancer
- Report any persistent pelvic pain, bloating or unexplained changes in bowel or bladder habits to your doctor promptly
- Follow the monitoring schedule your oncologist recommends if you are undergoing or have completed treatment for a gynaecological malignancy
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - CA 125 Price
The CA 125 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a tissue sample and must be processed at a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available. Approximate city-wise prices are listed below.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit the sample.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The serum CA 125 test measures the amount of CA 125 protein circulating in the blood. The IHC marker CA125 test detects the protein directly within tissue obtained from a biopsy or surgery. The IHC test helps confirm the type and likely origin of a tumour, rather than simply measuring a blood level.
The test itself is performed in the laboratory on tissue that has already been collected. If a new biopsy is required to obtain tissue, local anaesthesia is typically used to minimise discomfort during that procedure.
No single test, including the IHC marker - CA 125, is sufficient to confirm a cancer diagnosis on its own. The result must be considered alongside clinical examination, imaging studies and the full pathology report. Your doctor will combine all these findings to reach a conclusion.
Lupin Diagnostics delivers results for this test within 3 days. Overall turnaround may vary slightly depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional markers are tested on the same sample.
A negative result means that CA 125 protein was not detected in the tissue sample. This may suggest that the tumour is of non-gynaecological origin, or that it is a mucinous subtype that does not express this marker. A negative result does not rule out malignancy, and further tests are usually needed.
Pathologists often use a panel of IHC markers to accurately classify a tumour. The CA 125 IHC marker may be combined with others, such as CK7, PAX8 or WT1, to differentiate between various types of adenocarcinomas and to pinpoint the tissue of origin, especially in metastatic cancers.
Tissue-based IHC testing may be repeated on new biopsy samples to assess disease progression or recurrence. For routine ongoing monitoring during treatment, the serum CA 125 blood test is more commonly used. Your oncologist will advise which approach is appropriate in your case.
The test requires a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue block from a previous biopsy or surgery. You can complete your CA 125 test online booking through the Lupin Diagnostics website and visit your nearest centre to submit the tissue block and clinical history documentation.
IHC Marker - CA 125: Booking, Price, and Results
