Ca125 Test Levels

Ny wife has had abdomen bloating in the past year that comes and goes and when her abdomen swells (front and side), it is sore to touch. She has been diagnosed with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the last 20 years and she is 38. She has always been constipated and had symptoms similar to IBS symstoms.The bloating abdomen and tender abdomen started after her miscarriage last year (Mid/2006) and subsequent DNC. She just received the CA125 test results and her level was at 34. Is this reason for concern?

 Appeciate any fand all feedback from forum........very very concerned and scared.

Thx.

 

Sorry, the test my wife had was a CEA 125........not sure what the difference is.

 Thx.

The CA125 and the CEA are two different blood tests. Neither one is particularly good for screening.  At a level of 34 she actually probably had the CA125 test run, for which the upper limit of normal is 35.   A 34 level for CEA would be about 10 times normal. 

Best thing is to find out exactly what was done first. 

Clearly, this is something you should discuss at length with the doctor. Why was a CA125 test taken- is there a family history of breast or ovarian cancer? note: there is a general rule of thumb that CA125 levels over 30 or 35 MAY indicate a higher risk for ovarian cancer- BUT the key is "MAY".  It is best to continue taking the CA125 tests, to monitor how the level changes over time.  In other words, if it stays around 30-35 or less, there may be no reason for alarm. Keep in mind that CA125 levels may be artificially high from other factors including pregnancy, endometriosis or other infections (i'm not sure about IBS, but perhaps). Therefore, she may have higher levels due to the recent pregnancy or IBS- again, talk to your doctor.  You may want to follow up with an ultrasound to see if there are any abnormal masses in the pelvic area.

Thx all for your great feedback. My wife actually requested this CA 125 test, based on symptoms she has experienced over the last 6 months and doing some research on it. She basically wanted to rule this out, as doc keeps telling her that her symptoms are related to IBS. Now for the past week, she has had diarreha as well. She is scheduled for a pelvic/abdomen ultrasound tomorrow.......just after DNC (6 months ago), doc checked ovaries (during actual physical) and did not feek any lumps, but did say her uterus was tilted and she did have some fibroids. Could this have caused CA 125 to be 34 (high end of normal, as I understand 0-35 is in the normal range?

If the concern is to rule out ovarian cancer, you should know that CA-125 is NOT a screening test for this disease. Rather, it is one of 3 steps one should take towards diagnosis: if I were in your wife's place, I would ask for a transvaginal ultrasound, rectal exam AND the  CA-125. The three together provide an indication for the possibility of ovarian cancer. CA-125 alone has a 25% rate of false negative and false positive. 

Example: I've had ovarian cancer for over 22 years and my CA-125 has ALWAYS been 1!

 The symptoms you are describing could be consistent with a number of conditions, and given how long this has gone it, it is certainly prudent to rule out any possible alternative diagnoses.

 It may be advisable to have a consult with a gynecological oncologist.

good luck. 

 

on the John Hopkins website, there is a link to Ovarian Cancer and answers regarding CA_125. You'll note that many conditions can cause an elevation of this protein.