What is the role of CA-125 testing in breast cancer diagnostics?

CA-125 is a tumor marker that is primarily associated with ovarian cancer, not breast cancer. Its main role is in the management of ovarian cancer, where elevated levels can indicate the presence of the disease or recurrence. In breast cancer diagnostics, CA-125 is not a definitive test for diagnosis nor does it identify the stage of breast cancer. Although it is sometimes elevated in breast cancer, particularly in cases with concurrent ovarian cancer, it is most commonly utilized to evaluate potential ovarian pathology, making it useful for ruling out ovarian cancer.

In patients with suspected or known conditions, such as those presenting with pelvic masses or symptoms suggesting ovarian cancer, CA-125 can assist in guiding further testing or management. However, it is important to note that elevated CA-125 levels can also occur in other conditions, such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease, which limits its specificity. Thus, while CA-125 is not standard for breast cancer evaluation, its primary utility in the context of your question is indeed in assessing the likelihood of ovarian cancer.