Rising CA-125

I am 4 years post-op/post treatment now (OvCa 3C dx Nov 05) and my tumor marker has always been in the 9-13 range during these years. In January it was 11, April it was 14, July it was 16 and just now (October) it jumped to 26!

Oncologist said it is still in normal range but he is getting concerned. Incidentally, I just had a CT Scan which came back totally clean with no evidence of recurrent disease. Because of this, and because I am symptomless, we will repeat the tumor marker in 2 months. If it is higher still, he will order a PET scan.

Of course, I am beside myself. I live alone and dread having to go through all these treatments again.

I've seen this setup with too many of my cancer friends and know what it means, but I am clinging to hope it is something else. I was sick last week with intestinal flu-like symptoms and had a lot of stress this month. I was still feeling sick when I had the blood drawn.

Has anyone's CA-125 fluctuated that much?

By koh847
Posted October 23, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Report post

Hi...definitely can happen. A friend of mine went slowly from 7 all the way up to about 32 then slowly back down to 10, all over a few months. She is just fine. It is not a perfect test, that is for sure. Good to keep an eye on it, but try not to worry.
Kim

By lifeisgrand
Posted October 23, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Report post

Don't panic just yet. Wait and see what the next test shows. Mine jumped 4 points a couple of weeks after the end of my chemo and I was so freaked out but a month later it was down by 5 so I was a whole point ahead of the game :). All that worry for nothing! This really could just be from being sick and you will know that soon enough.

By FavoriteAunt
Posted October 24, 2009 at 8:18 am
Report post

That is really not a big fluctuation, but it must be watched because if it continues it could be a sign of trouble. Wait until the next test and scan to see what's really going on and try not to make yourself crazy in the meantime (not always easy!). All the best.

By Nanamom
Posted October 24, 2009 at 9:07 am
Report post

I know how this does make you sick with worry. I went through this and am now in a recurrence. Actually my mood is better and I am a lot less stress now than I was waiting for the "other shoe to drop." My CA 125 was from 2 in December 08, 5 in March, 6 in April, 12 in May, and 24 in June. I had a CT in July that showed no disease but the next CA 125 in early August jumped to 75. They ordered another CT and it showed two small lesions. I'm back on Carbo/taxol (not fun but you do what you have to do) and after three treatments my CA 125 is down to 5 (hooray!). As you can see, my CA 125 doubled and tripled much more dramatically than yours is. They say doubling is indicative of probable return of disease. I only got a 16 month remission. I, too, had IIIC disease. If you do end up in recurrence I'm sure you will do well especially with a four year remission. I started in counseling to help me deal with the anxiety that I had about the rising CA 125 (I really know exactly what you are feeling). This has been extremely helpful. I'm seeing someone in behavioral oncology at the IU Cancer Center. I was having a terrible time sleeping. Best wishes and good luck to you - I hope you are not going into recurrence but if you are you can handle it.

By Milashka
Posted October 24, 2009 at 9:55 am
Report post

Thank you for your replies. Emotionally I am going from being resolved to just resubmit my body to the doctors and chemos and hope for the best - I did enjoy spending 5 months at home during that time, so that is a plus - or a complete basket case. I take a Xanax at night to calm down and I sleep very well. I have no appetite and lost 5 lbs already (down to 119 now) - not good.

My course of action is to be more vigilant cutting out anything that will feed the cancer (I sure don't want to help it along) - sugar and dairy - and try to get as strong as I can for what will come.

I also made an appointment with my family doctor for complete bloodwork and exam, discussion of a few issues I am having, and to schedule a colonoscopy. I had one 3 years ago but my dad had colon cancer at around my age so it is possible the tumor marker is increasing because of this secondary cancer, and fortunately, early detection works quite well with colon cancer.

I have a bird dog I am training for hunting tests and am an avid photographer, I don't have time to worry! :)

I agree that it will probably be easier to just deal with it again than waiting for the other shoe to drop.

By pegart
Posted October 24, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Report post

My ct went from 12 to 16 to 27. By then I was prepared for anything. I just had a sneaky feeling. They gave me and scan and it was good. Nothing showing. then it went up to 53 three months later. Another scan which showed two lesions, One behind my liver and one behind the panreas .
the next week my CA was 93. I was on chemo for one week and they said it would probably go up for a while. Well, the next week it went down to62. They were amazed. I feel relieved now that I am in a plan of action. Waiting to find out was agony. I do hope yours was a reaction from your flue. best of hope

By Jennali
Posted October 25, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Report post

I really feel for you having to wait this out. I was in your shoes this time last year. My CA125 was much higher, however.

The trend with most doctors is to wait for clinical evidence of disease on a scan. Also from a pelvic exam. Your CA124 can rise for at least 6 months before there is evidence. So probably no rush on the possibility of chemo.

Illness and/or inflammation can affect your readings, also. Since your numbers are still within normal range, it could be temporary blips. What doctors look for is that continuing upward trend.

Let us know.

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this discussion:

7 replies

Add to the discussion

OCNA on Twitter

Group leaders

You