HE4

[Bluehen]

Did anyone have the HE4 blood test? Did you have it along with the 125 blood test for ovarian cancer? Did you find it helpful? Another question, should I be posting to Everyone or Community? Not sure I understand the difference.

[maz54]

I've never heard of that test! What does it measure? ?

Hi BTW xx

[ScottishMisty]

Can't help with blood test. But posting to the community means only members of this particular group can read post. Better your do that as some posts can certainly very personal and lots of members may not give full response. We are after all very private people. Or some of us are. Hugs to you & hopefully someone will be along soon to help with blood test x

[Sunfleury-UK]

It's another protein marker (like ca125)- seems to be used quite a bit in US, not standard in the UK. There have been quite a few trials and write ups over the last few years.... I read one recently which was looking at using change in ca125 along with HE4 as a more accurate predictor... From memory, I think it is sensitive with some tumour types but sure there's plenty of info online! Sx.

This is the final conclusion from a literature review (qualitive analysis of relevant published papers) published in medscape this year:

"In conclusion, there is only a preliminary and mild evidence on the ability of HE4 measurement in serum to overcome CA-125 in terms of diagnostic performance for identification of OC in women with suspected gynaecological disease. The suboptimal quality of research, the modest level of evidence and the lack of agreement on decision thresholds are likely to hamper the clinical value of the marker. Before integrating HE4 in the OC diagnostic algorithm, in order to replace or to complete the CA-125 information, more robust estimates of HE4 diagnostic performances are needed. In particular, well designed PCTs are required to reinforce this preliminary evidence and, in particular, to evaluate the HE4 capability to identify OC at early stage in post-menopausal women with a pelvic mass."

- seems possible use of HE4 is an ongoing work in progress!

Just to add more info, I also have a CA19-9 test done (another protein marker) with CA125 but that's because my tumour was a mucinous one!!

[thesilent1]

On my first consultation with my gynaecologist he carried out both the CA125 and CA19-9. If I remember correctly the later one would detect other cancers in the abdomen. Ann

[Sunfleury-UK in reply to thesilent1]

- most commonly, ca19-9 is used as a marker for pancreatic and colon cancers but as you say also other cancers of the abdomen. But it can also specifically be an indicator for primary mucinous ovarian cancer! Sx

[robison1]

I had both tests, not sure it was helpful.. in fact, never heard what my result meant. I have no idea who you should post to! Maybe someone else knows?