Cancer Markers — Women

A six-marker oncological surveillance panel for women, covering the key gynecological cancer markers (CA 125, CA 15-3, HE4), the gastrointestinal markers (CA 19-9, CEA), and AFP (liver and germ cell). HE4 combined with CA 125 in the ROMA algorithm significantly improves ovarian cancer risk classification compared with CA 125 alone. All markers run on Abbott Alinity ii or DPC Immulite 2000XPi at PKBH Olomouc under SEKK external quality control.

Ovarian, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers together account for the majority of cancer mortality in women, and each of these has a serum marker with clinical utility when interpreted correctly. A comprehensive six-marker panel provides a broad surveillance signal that no single test could achieve — while also documenting a personal baseline from which future changes can be measured. Markers included: - **CA 125 (cancer antigen 125)** — the primary ovarian cancer marker. Elevated in around 80% of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers; also elevated in endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and early pregnancy — making baseline and trend interpretation important. Measured on Abbott Alinity ii, priced at 548 Kč. - **HE4 (human epididymis protein 4)** — a newer ovarian cancer marker with higher specificity than CA 125, particularly in premenopausal women where CA 125 is more often elevated by benign gynaecological conditions. Combined with CA 125 in the ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm), HE4 more than doubles the accuracy of ovarian cancer risk prediction. PKBH price: 548 Kč. - **CA 15-3** — the principal breast cancer marker, used mainly for monitoring response to treatment and detecting recurrence in women with known breast cancer. Not recommended as a primary screening tool due to low sensitivity in early-stage disease, but useful in monitoring and in combination with other markers. Price: 548 Kč. - **CA 19-9** — primarily associated with pancreatic and biliary tract cancers; also elevated in colorectal and gastric cancers. Useful in monitoring for recurrence post-surgery, and as a baseline in women with a family history of gastrointestinal cancers. Price: 548 Kč. - **CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)** — a broad-spectrum gastrointestinal and lung marker. CEA > 5 ng/mL in a non-smoker warrants clinical investigation. Commonly used in colorectal cancer surveillance. Price: 202 Kč. - **AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)** — a liver cancer and germ cell tumour marker, relevant in women with hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, or dermoid ovarian cysts. Price: 206 Kč. All six markers are immunochemistry assays run on the SEKK-accredited Abbott Alinity ii and DPC Immulite 2000XPi platforms at PKBH's Olomouc central laboratory. R3 Audit certification covers the full laboratory. **Important note:** Tumour markers are surveillance and monitoring tools — not definitive cancer diagnoses. Elevated values require clinical correlation, imaging, and specialist review. A normal panel does not exclude malignancy. PKBH reports all values against age- and menopausal-status-adjusted reference ranges where applicable. **Who benefits:** Women over 40 with a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer; women with unexplained pelvic pain, bloating, or changes in bowel habit; women with known endometriosis or ovarian cysts monitoring for malignant transformation; women with hepatitis B or C; women previously treated for gynaecological cancers monitoring for recurrence. **Preparation:** No fasting required. CA 125 is elevated in early pregnancy — defer the test if pregnancy is possible. Walk in from 07:00 — no referral needed.