Do Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) affect Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) levels?

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Last updated: May 8, 2025 • View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

UTIs can indeed affect CA-125 levels, as they can cause a temporary increase in CA-125 due to the inflammatory response associated with the infection. This is because CA-125 is not only a biomarker for ovarian cancer but also can be produced by cells in response to inflammation, such as those lining the peritoneum and reproductive organs 1. During a UTI, the body's inflammatory response can lead to increased production of CA-125, resulting in elevated blood levels. Some key points to consider include:

  • CA-125 levels can be falsely increased in women with peritoneal inflammation or infection, which includes UTIs 1.
  • The elevation in CA-125 levels due to UTIs is typically temporary and should return to normal once the infection is resolved with appropriate treatment.
  • It is essential for individuals being monitored for CA-125 levels to inform their healthcare provider about any current or recent UTIs to ensure accurate interpretation of test results.
  • The use of CA-125 as a monitoring tool, especially in patients with extrauterine disease, should take into account the potential for false positives due to conditions like UTIs 1.

From the Research

UTI and CA-125 Relationship

  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that UTIs affect CA-125 levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • The studies primarily focus on the treatment and management of urinary tract infections, discussing various antimicrobial therapies and their efficacy 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • None of the studies mention CA-125, which is a tumor marker often associated with ovarian cancer, in relation to UTIs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Available Research

  • The provided studies are related to urinary tract infections, their symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • They discuss various antibiotics and their effectiveness in treating UTIs, such as sulfonamides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, and fluoroquinolones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • However, they do not explore the relationship between UTIs and CA-125 levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

3
Research

Urinary tract infection: traditional pharmacologic therapies.

The American journal of medicine, 2002

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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