What is the primary use of the CA-125 tumor marker in oncology?

The primary use of the CA-125 tumor marker in oncology is to monitor treatment response and recurrence specifically in ovarian cancer. CA-125 is a protein that is often found in higher levels in women with ovarian cancer. It is primarily utilized as a biomarker to assess how well a treatment is working or to identify if the cancer has returned after treatment.

In the context of ovarian cancer, measuring CA-125 levels can provide valuable information about disease progression or regression. For instance, a decrease in CA-125 levels during treatment may indicate that the cancer is responding positively to therapy, whereas an increase can suggest that the cancer may be recurring or not responding adequately to the current treatment regimen.

This targeted use is crucial for managing ovarian cancer effectively, as it helps inform clinical decisions and allows for timely interventions if needed. Other tumor markers may not provide the same specificity or relevance for other cancer types, which is why using CA-125 is particularly beneficial for ovarian cancer.