Learn about the cancer marker CA 72-4

This is an automatically translated article.

Tumor markers are substances produced by cancer cells or other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign diseases. Most cancer markers are still produced by normal cells, but the amount of these substances is greatly increased in the case of actual cancer. In particular, the cancer marker CA 72-4 is a typical marker for gastric cancer.

1. How is stomach cancer diagnosed?

Stomach cancer is a common disease, the second leading cause of death among cancers in the world. In Vietnam, stomach cancer is the third leading cause of death in both men and women.
Unlike late-stage cancer, early gastric cancer has no symptoms and is often discovered incidentally during endoscopy. When a patient presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, bloating, gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood or passing black stools) it means that the cancer is at an advanced stage. The best way to detect early gastric cancer is endoscopy. Early cancerous lesions can be as small as 2 - 3 mm on endoscopic images but can also be up to 3 - 4 cm and still be at an early stage.
Quantitative blood test CA 72-4 cancer antigen and other tests are not of great value for early diagnosis of gastric cancer. But when the cancer began to increase the cancer marker CA 72-4, the stomach cancer was advanced.

2. What is CA 72-4 cancer marker?

CA 72-4 is an abbreviation for carbohydrate antigen 72-4 or cancer antigen 72-4. CA72-4 cancer antigen is found on the surface of many cell types such as ovarian, breast, colon, and pancreatic cells. In particular, gastric carcinoma cells have a higher ability to secrete CA 72-4 than other organs.

3. When should CA 72-4 test be done?

CA 72-4 test is a test to evaluate the level of CA 72-4 in the blood of patients with the aim of guiding the diagnosis as well as disease prognosis, monitoring during treatment. Quantitative test for 72-4 cancer antigen with the purpose:
3.1. Diagnosis of CA 72-4 cancer is often used as a hint in the diagnosis of gastric, ovarian, colorectal, some gastrointestinal or other adnexal cancers. To confirm whether a patient has cancer or not, besides blood tests, the doctor will prescribe additional imaging methods, biopsies....
3.2. Response monitoring CA 72-4 is also used to monitor the response to treatment of cancer patients, to determine the stage and prognosis for cancer.

4. When to order CA 72-4 test?

4.1. Absolute indication When the patient has any symptoms that are suspected of stomach cancer such as: thin weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue, or belching, heartburn, pain in the epigastrium, bowel disorders. .. the doctor will order the CA 72-4 test. In addition, CA 72-4 test is also indicated in patients who have been treated for gastric cancer to monitor treatment response and control recurrence.
4.2. Relatively designated CA 72-4 is also produced by cells in the ovary. Therefore, in addition to being a marker in gastric cancer, Ca 72-4 is also indicated in cases of suspected mucinous ovarian cancer.

5. Who is at risk for elevated CA 72-4 in the blood?

Today, the incidence of cancer in general and stomach cancer in particular is on the rise. People who need CA 72-4 test are those who are at high risk of stomach cancer such as:
People with a history of peptic ulcer disease; Habits of smoking, drinking alcohol, using stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine...; History of gastrointestinal disease; History of burns to stomach, esophagus due to acid, base; Age over 45 years old, men have a higher risk of stomach cancer than women; Having a family member with stomach cancer; Frequent exposure to radiation or chemicals that are toxic to the body.

6. Attention when testing CA 72-4

Some people when learning about CA 72-4 often mistakenly believe that high CA 72-4 is 100% stomach cancer. However, this is erroneous because the specificity of CA 72-4 is 60%, which means that out of 100 people with stomach cancer, only 60 people have elevated CA 72-4 blood levels. Therefore, when gastric cancer is suspected, besides the CA 72-4 test, other tests must be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Vinmec International General Hospital currently has a package for screening and early detection of stomach cancer for all men and women over 18 years old with regular checkups and those at high risk of stomach cancer.
The screening contents in the Package include:
Gastroenterology Specialist Examination with an oncologist (by appointment); Screening for esophageal and gastric cancer through endoscopy includes: esophagogastroduodenoscopy, stomach, duodenum (using NBI machine and having anesthesia); Coagulation test by thrombin time test, activated partial thromboplastin time by automatic machine; General abdominal ultrasound. The comprehensiveness of Vinmec in terms of medical expertise, advanced methods of implementation, modern technological equipment, and professional medical services will help customers have the most secure and satisfied experience.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.