What is ca 18?

CA 18 (Cancer Antigen 18) is a protein biomarker usually found elevated in the blood serum of patients with various types of cancers, including ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancers. It is primarily used as a diagnostic marker to track the progression and recurrence of these cancers. Elevated levels of CA 18 are indicative of tumors that have invaded the epithelial layers of the digestive and reproductive systems. However, it is not specific for any one type of cancer, and thus, it is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic markers to get a more accurate diagnosis. Measuring CA 18 levels can also help doctors determine the extent of cancer progression and treatment response. Treatment of CA 18-positive cancers typically involves surgical resection of the tumor and chemotherapy, similar to other cancer treatments.