Cancer of the uterine lining, also called endometrial cancer, typically occurs in older women who have already experienced menopause. According to the National Cancer Institute, endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, representing 6 percent of all female cancers. Diagnosis of endometrial cancer is typically done through a combination of methods, including a pelvic Pap smear, biopsies and blood tests. Some blood tests may assist in early detection of endometrial cancer.
CA-125
Blood tests used for cancer diagnostics typically measure the total amount of a specific protein within blood plasma. CA-125 is one of these proteins that is elevated in women who have endometrial cancer. However, CA-125 is typically not elevated during the early stage of the cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, levels higher than 35 U/ml -- units per milliliter -- are considered abnormal. CA-125 can be used to measure the effects of chemotherapy as the levels should go down with successful treatments.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Another blood plasma protein, carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA, was initially identified as a potential marker for colon cancer. However, CEA has also been found to be elevated in many other cancers, including endometrial cancer. CEA levels higher than 3 ng/ml -- nanograms per milliliter -- are considered to be abnormal. If CEA is high in patients who have endometrial cancer, it can be used as an additional marker to measure progress of treatment strategies and recurrence of the disease following successful treatment.
CA15-3
CA15-3 is another blood protein that was originally utilized as a marker for breast cancer. However, this protein was also found to be elevated in some women who have endometrial cancer. Physicians may use CA15-3 monitoring for those who have elevated levels higher than the normal range of 30 U/ml, as a marker for treatment and for recurrence of the cancer.
