What is a common diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer?

CA 125 is a commonly used diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer because it is a tumor-associated antigen that is often elevated in women with this type of cancer. CA 125 is a glycoprotein that can provide insight into the presence of ovarian tumors, particularly in symptomatic women or those at high risk for ovarian cancer. Elevated levels of CA 125 can be useful for monitoring treatment response and for detecting recurrence of the disease, although it is not specific to ovarian cancer and can be elevated in other conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even during menstruation.

The other markers listed have different applications in oncology or are associated with other types of tumors. For example, Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is mainly associated with germ cell tumors of the testes and liver tumors. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is primarily related to trophoblastic diseases and testicular cancer. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a nonspecific marker that can indicate tissue damage but is not directly linked to ovarian cancer diagnosis. Therefore, CA 125 stands out as the most relevant and commonly utilized marker for ovarian cancer detection and management.