Ca125

I had ovarian cancer in 2003.  I had debulking surgery and followed with 3 chem treatment of taxeter and carboplatin.  I was ok for over three years and then got an elevated CA125 of about 80.  I staarted chem again and was informed I now have a chronic condition which will return.  Sept of 2006 i had five sessions of chem and my CA125 went to 6.  It is now 29 and I am conerned.  What I am interested in can anything else affect the CA125.  ( broke my foot sept and it may be wishful thinking, but can this affect the CA125.)  I feel fine, except for the break. and hate the think of chem again with all the side effects.  Anyone who might have some info on this I would appreciate.  Take care, jean

 

On 10/27/2007 jean summersgill wrote:

I had ovarian cancer in 2003.  I had debulking surgery and followed with 3 chem treatment of taxeter and carboplatin.  I was ok for over three years and then got an elevated CA125 of about 80.  I staarted chem again and was informed I now have a chronic condition which will return.  Sept of 2006 i had five sessions of chem and my CA125 went to 6.  It is now 29 and I am conerned.  What I am interested in can anything else affect the CA125.  ( broke my foot sept and it may be wishful thinking, but can this affect the CA125.)  I feel fine, except for the break. and hate the think of chem again with all the side effects.  Anyone who might have some info on this I would appreciate.  Take care, jean

Hi Jean -

I have Stage IV OVCA which was dx'd in 4/04. I am on my third different chemo regimen right now. All I can say is that the CA-125 is not always accurate for whatever reasons. My CA-125 has never gone over 9 since my first rounds of chemo with Taxol & Carboplatin. The went on Gemcitibine and am now on Hycamtin. Even when the cancer progressed I never went over a 9. So maybe you should get a CT scan or a PET scan. If you are relapsing they may show it.

Good luck to you,

Diane T.

When I was diagnosed in August 06, I had a CA125 of 4 and it has not gone above this.  I was staged IIIc.  I had been treated with carboplatin and taxol.  So far my CT scans (pelvis, abdomen and lungs) have been negative. Still worried.  I have been having discomfort to the lower abdomen but my gyn-oncologist says it is scar tissue.  Hope he's right.  Had a cat scan after talking to him and it was negative.  I agree CA125 is not a good indicator for ovarian cancer.  I had a very rare type of ovarian ca, MMT.  I feel pretty good.  Got through chemo without any problems.  The problem is I didn't feel all that bad before being diagnosed.  Just some abdominal discomfort and bloating. 

Hi, my CA-125 was never above 1.

Please look at the John Hopkins website for an excellent explanation of CA-125, including other conditions that generate an increase in numbers.

G.