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Cancer Antigen 50 (CA 50)

Cancer Antigen 50 (CA 50) is a tumor marker that is sometimes used in cancer diagnosis and monitoring. It is a protein that is found on the surface of some cancer cells, particularly those of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and liver. Elevated levels of CA 50 in the blood may indicate the presence of cancer, but the test is not specific to any one type of cancer and false positives can occur. Therefore, CA 50 is typically used in combination with other diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies and biopsies, to help diagnose and monitor cancer. CA 50 levels may also be used to monitor response to treatment and to detect cancer recurrence. However, it is important to note that CA 50 levels may not always correlate with disease progression or response to treatment, and changes in CA 50 levels may also be seen in non-cancerous conditions.

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