The cancer antigen 27-29 test is used to monitor which type of cancer?

The cancer antigen 27-29 (CA 27-29) test is a tumor marker primarily used in the monitoring of breast cancer. This test measures the levels of CA 27-29 in the blood, which can be associated with breast cancer progression or recurrence. Although this marker may be elevated in other conditions, its primary clinical use is for patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, helping to assess treatment response and check for disease recurrence after treatment.

In contrast, other cancer types have different markers associated with them. For instance, ovarian cancer is commonly associated with CA 125, liver cancer may involve alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and pancreatic cancer is usually monitored with CA 19-9. Therefore, the use of CA 27-29 specifically aligns with breast cancer management, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.