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What Does CA Level Of 72.4 Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014

Question: I am 30 years old and had chronic urticaria since XXXXXXX with intermittent sore throats, lived reticularis on legs after a warm bath and very sensitive skin to hot and cold. I took antihistamines for 3 weeks which seems to have controlled the urticaria and can come off them now for a few days with no recurrence. I have had numerous blood tests done, everything normal- CRP under 1, ESR normal, blood normal, only things slightly elevated was IGE 246 and ANA 1:80 which they followed up and found no evidence of lupus etc. I have since had health anxiety so had a cancer screen done. I had low levels of everything apart from CA72-4 which was 8.4 and was supposed to be under 6.9. I am now very worried! I also have a functioning cyst on my ovary which is 12mm and has be ultra sounded , and possibly PCOS. Can anything other than cancer cause this level of CA72.4, is this a low level still or does this indicate something serious? I am having it repeated this week but I would like some guidance as to what can cause this and if it is a high or low level? Thank you in advance

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Considerations.

Detailed Answer:
thanks for sending the question.

This level was only slightly elevated. Honestly at this time it is not recommended to check these levels unless the patient has been diagnosed with a particular type of cancer. For that reason it is impossible to interpret this result.

It is reasonable to recheck the result but I'm not sure what your doctors going to do if it remains slightly elevated.

In the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms I would interpret this slight elevation aspotentially related to underlying inflammation.

if the level remains elevated your doctor might suggest that you have an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy.

Again there are no strong recommendations to check tumor markers in a patient who does not have suspicion or confirm history of malignancy.

I can understand that you have significant anxiety regarding this but I want to reassure you that I do not think it is likely that you have cancer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga.

please follow up with your doctor.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (22 minutes later)

Thanks so much for this answer - is this a very slight elevation?do cancers usually present with a lot higher figure? Thank you- sorry just am very anxious!

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
in a general sense yes - cancers can present with very significant elevations in these markers.

try to focus on continued good health - good diet and exercise - this is very likely not a situation of cancer.

yours is a very slight elevation.

dr Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (3 minutes later)

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
you're very welcome.

all the best to you.

dr g

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar