CA 72‑4 is mucine-like, tumour-associated glycoprotein. Elevated CA 72‑4 serum values are found in patients suffering from various benign diseases: pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis, pulmonary disease, rheumatic illness, gynaecological illness, benign ovarian disease, ovarian cysts, breast disease, and benign gastrointestinal tract disorders.
The most important advantage of the CA 72‑4 marker over others is its particularly high diagnostic specificity for benign illnesses.