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Tumor Markers

CA 72-4 Tumor Marker

CA 72-4 is a gastric marker that can be measured as part of a preventive health assessment to help establish a personal baseline.

Doctor's Assessment Included

CA 72-4 is a protein with sugar groups that is present in the blood in small amounts and that some tumours of the stomach and gut release in larger amounts. Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U do not offer CA 72-4 and publish no limit for it; limits differ between assay methods.

  • In people without symptoms, a raised CA 72-4 usually does not mean cancer: in a Taiwanese study of 7,757 healthy adults, 7.2 percent had a high value, and fewer than 1 in 500 of them had stomach cancer.
  • CA 72-4 is not suitable for screening people without symptoms for cancer.
  • After an unexpectedly high CA 72-4, a reasonable first step is a repeat measurement, with a check of the assay method and a look at symptoms and imaging.

Reference Ranges

No established reference range

There is no Dutch reference value for CA 72-4. No Dutch guideline or laboratory handbook publishes one, and — unlike most blood values — no international standard exists for this test. Different analysers therefore report different numbers for the same person; the manufacturer itself requires that a CA 72-4 result only be read alongside the method used to measure it. We work with several partner laboratories, each with its own analyser and its own reference values. Your own result therefore arrives with the reference interval of the laboratory that examined your blood: that is the interval that applies to you. Discuss your result with your doctor.

Unit: ku/l

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

CA 72-4: what this test measures

CA 72-4 measures the blood concentration of a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein (TAG-72) expressed on the surface of certain gastrointestinal and reproductive cells. The marker is not specific to any single condition.

CA 72-4: why this value matters

CA 72-4 is sometimes used alongside other markers to monitor gastrointestinal or ovarian conditions. Because it is rarely elevated in healthy individuals, a raised result may prompt further investigation, though benign causes must always be considered.

CA 72-4: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

CA 72-4: when is testing worthwhile?

CA 72-4 is typically ordered by a healthcare provider as part of a clinical evaluation. Consult your healthcare provider before arranging this test independently.

CA 72-4: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

Low CA 72-4 levels are within the normal reference range and are not associated with specific symptoms.

High Levels

An elevated CA 72-4 may be investigated further, particularly when accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as persistent nausea, abdominal discomfort, or unintentional weight changes.

CA 72-4: causes of a low or high value

What raises the value

  • Stomach cancer

    CA 72-4 is most closely linked to stomach cancer, but it is an add-on test that cannot show cancer on its own.

  • Other cancers of the abdomen and pelvis

    CA 72-4 has also been studied as a tumour marker in cancer of the ovary, the bowel and the pancreas.

  • Gout flare

    During a gout flare, CA 72-4 was significantly higher in a study than in gout without a flare and in healthy people.

  • Colchicine

    The gout drug colchicine can raise CA 72-4; in a study the value fell again after it was stopped.

  • Stomach ulcer, stomach polyps and Helicobacter

    A stomach ulcer, stomach polyps, a chronically inflamed and thinned stomach lining (atrophic gastritis) and a Helicobacter pylori infection were linked to a higher CA 72-4 in a study.

CA 72-4: lifestyle and this value

Supporting your digestive health through a varied, plant-rich diet, reducing processed food consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco contributes to overall gastrointestinal wellbeing. Consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.

CA 72-4: frequently asked questions

Is CA 72-4 specific to cancer?

No. CA 72-4 can be elevated due to benign causes such as gastric inflammation, pancreatitis, or liver conditions. It cannot confirm or exclude any specific diagnosis.

Can CA 72-4 be used on its own to screen for stomach cancer?

No. Its clinical value comes from being used alongside other markers and diagnostic methods under healthcare provider guidance.

Do I need to fast before a CA 72-4 blood test?

Preparation may vary. Follow the guidance provided by your testing service or healthcare provider.

CA 72-4: sources

  1. Ng RK, Shelat VG. Carbohydrate antigen 72-4 and tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 - tumor marker: Past, present and future. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2026;17(3):125464. (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Zhuang Y, et al. Elevated serum CA72-4 as a novel diagnostic biomarker for acute gout flares. Sci Rep 2025;15:20728. (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Zhao B, et al. An abnormal elevation of serum CA72-4 rather than other tumor markers can be caused by use of colchicine. Int J Biol Markers 2019;34(3):318-321. (retrieved 2026) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Hu PJ, et al. Clinical Evaluation of CA72-4 for Screening Gastric Cancer in A Healthy Population: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Cancers (Basel) 2019;11(5):733. (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

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