I am almost nine years post chemo. I had a fluid filled tumor which was removed along with all my reproductive organs. They weren't sure if the cancer started in the tubes or the ovaries.
I don't know what my CA 125 level was then, but after chemo it settled down around 30. Three years later it was up to 45 and after all the scans they did an exploratory surgery since the scans didn't show anything. It turned out to be a swollen lymph node in the abdomen that was benign.
Now six years later my count is up to 47. I called my gyn onc because I now live 180 miles away. They said to get myself in to see some one in my area right away.
I was just diagnosed with anemia, hypothyroid and elevated white count. I broke off a crown on one of my teeth and am getting what's left extracted. I think I have some infection going on there.
I know other things besides ovca can cause the CA 125 counts to increase. What do you think?
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CA 125 levels?
- By Smithnojoke
- Posted May 29, 2009 at 11:30 pm · 8 replies
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- By kolson
- Posted May 30, 2009 at 1:45 am
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Any kind of an infection can cause your number to go up. I'd bet it's due to you tooth issue. Are you treating it with antibiotic?
You'll feel better once you see someone in your area. Try not to worry!
Stay strong! Kris
- By MinnieM
- Posted May 30, 2009 at 12:08 pm
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I agree that it is probably your tooth. Infection and inflammation are two things that can cause your CA-125 to fluctuate.
You definitely want to check it out thought, because even if it is your ovarian cancer returning, you can get treatment again early, and more than likely look forward to another long remission.
Congratulations on being nine years post chemo. That is so encouraging for others of us on this site.
- By chally
- Posted May 31, 2009 at 11:58 pm
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APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER SURGERY/6 CHEMOS (ORIGINAL DX STAGE IC)....MY CA 125 STARTED TO RISE EVER SO SLOWLY......7,9, 11, 10, 12, 11,14, 15......17.......I TOLD MY DR I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAD READ THAT A RISING CA 125 - EVEN BELOW 35 - COULD BE A SIGN OF RECURRENCE...HE SAID HE WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE I WAS FEELING OK...I WANTED A PET/CT...WE ARGUED...HE FINALLY RELENTED.......TEST RESULTS SHOWED I HAD AN APPROXIMATE 3 CM LESION IN MY LIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...STAGE IV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...LISTEN TO YOUR GUT AND FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU WANT
- By Eileen1941
- Posted June 1, 2009 at 10:58 am
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Hi Smithnojoke,
Yes, you should definitely go in to see someone and if available see a GYN/ONC. It would also be a good idea to request a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, with and without contrast, just to be as sure as you can be that the cancer is not recurring.
I hope that the increase in your CA-125 is just due to your tooth problem. But you want to be as sure as you can be that further problems are not developing. With your history, you should be followed at least annually by a GYN/Onc, even if you do not have any symptoms.
Good luck to you and please let us know what you find out. Eileen
- By Smithnojoke
- Posted June 2, 2009 at 12:09 am
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Thanks so much for your replies. I will get a referral tomorrow. One question--why have the scans with and without contrast?
Chris
- By abell
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 2:15 pm
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I am concerned.and have ben for years..what the teeth can secrete and how it can affect the body..I read it could affect the heart..but the CA125 count..can you explain exactly why that could be raised by problem teeth..
many thanks
- By dke47
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 8:32 am
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DONT WANT TO SCARE ANYONE BUT. . . . THE CA-125 WAS NO RELIABLE AFTER I HAD A RECURRENCE IN MY LIVER. I WAS GETTING 'MAINTENCE CHEMO' AND THE DR KEPT SAYING TUMOR MARKER WAS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. SHOULDER PAIN AND BACK AND ABDOMINAL PAIN WERE UNBEARABLE BEFORE CT WAS ORDERED AND SHOWED A HORRIBLE PROGRESSION IN MY LIVER AND LYMPH NODES. IF YOU HAVE PAIN INSIST ON A CT NO MATTER WHAT THE TUMOR MARKER SHOWS
- By Smithnojoke
- Posted June 27, 2009 at 6:20 pm
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Thanks everyone. Well I found a wonderful new gyn onc and am CT scans Tuesday as my counts were up at my appt. He said they can do a laprascopy and then open me if they find anything and use robotic surgery.
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