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Help!! CA 125 numbers and lymphodima??

nickelle33
  • By nickelle33
  • Posted July 3, 2009 at 3:03 pm · 5 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

Can Lymphodima cause CA 125 numbers to increase? My mom's leg has swollen over the last two month. She has Ovarian for the third time and is on Chemo monthly for good. She just had a CA 125 done in June and it was 1800 which raised from 800, then went in and had a CT which said spots that were on her lung and liver are totally gone and there was a different spot on her other lung that had grown a little. Good news!!! Well then they called her last night to tell her that her CA125 had increased and is 3100! She is very confused and wondering what else can cause the increase. Anyone that can help would be great!!!!

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

Cancer Surgery Lasix Edema Carboplatin Lymphedema Breast cancer

5 replies

docpat

sorry to hear about your Mom's increasing CA125. My CA125 stared to increase (from 22) after my 3rd chemo. It continued to increase even after chemo (topped at 75 in March). I also began to have lymphoma (or edema) in my legs and feet about the same time. No one said they were connected, but I suspected that they were. Also have neuropathy in the feet. My CA125 is no where near your Mom's!

I started to take high levels (80 mg) of lasix along with an additioanl blood pressure pill (Diuretic). I lost 20# and my CA125 came down. It is now 29. I have cut the lasix to 40mg (it was causing my K to be very low). I have put on about 8#, probably water/asites?

3 things can cause the CA125 to rise. Inflamation, infection, or cancer. Mine I believe was from the lymphoma and neuropathy (inflamation).

See if you Mom can get a diuretic. That should give her some help. Tell your Mom, my prayers are with her!

her911

I am not an expert on CA-125...my nurse says that when she started working as a cancer nurse there
was no test like the CA-125...in talking with other
ovarian patients at the cancer center where I am
treated, the CA-125 numbers are all over the place...
some as low as 10...I was diagnosed at 1000 and after
21 months of various chemos, it is now 330...my
CT scans show no change since November but the
CA-125 goes up and down...I have been told that
the numbers can change drastically during the same
day of testing. So I guess the CA-125 is kind of a shot
in the dark and not something to panic about everytime it comes out high so long as the CT scans
are consistent. I hope this helps..all of us survivors
have to keep from stressing out over the numbers.

MAG

nickelle33
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 04, I went onto a site and learned about lymphedema - since I had a mastectomy. The doctors never told me about it.
When I was diagnosed with OCVA in 07 - Stage IIIC, I had already been going to lymphedema doctors as a preventative measure from the breast cancer.
When they remove the lymph nodes from the OVCA surgery, you are indeed at risk for lymphedema in your legs. They suggest not getting a pedicure and not putting anything elastic on your legs such as thigh hi stockings that restrict the flow.
I do not know about the elevation in the ca125, but I would suggest that your mother sees a lymphedema specialist to stay on top of it as best as she can.
Mary Ann

nickelle33

Thank you to all of your replies it does help. WE don't know anyone with cancer besides my mom so their is no one for us to talk to. Your help and comments shed light on a vary broad subject!!

Vaya-condios

I know how your Mom feels. My CA 125 has risen to
4100 since end of April. So I am back on chemo carboplatin only. The CT showed Mets to the liver.
Had another CT and bone scan yesterday and first
chemo. Will know the results by the 31. The Chemo
nurse told me yesterday not to be that concerned with
the numbers. So I will stop worrying and have faith
that I am in good hands.
I will say a prayer for your mom and you.
Never give up Faith.
Vaya-condios

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