Ca125 Down To 19 After One Treatment

Hello,

I have ovarian cancer and after my first chemo treatment my CA 125 dropped to 19. Since then I have had my 2nd treatment, and will be receiving a 3rd treatment April 3rd. My doctor initially told me I would go through 6 treatments over a 6 month period. I am wondering if stopping after 3 treatments (as long as my cat scan is clear) would be wise? I hear cancer cells can become resistant to the chemotherapy. Pershaps if I stop after 3 months of treatment this won't happen. Does any one have experience with this type of situation?

Thank you for your help.

Lynne

Hi Lynne,

That is great news about your numbers dropping so much.  It is really good that your cancer is responding so well to the chemo.  I was diagnosed four years ago, stage IIIC, and went through six treatments for carboplatin and taxotere.  My numbers dropped very rapidly as well but my doctor recommended doing all six treatments if I could tolerate it.  I think the thinking is you want to try and kill as much of the cancer cells as you can so that you hopefully will go into remission and stay there for a long time.  I remember thinking, "well, I have already lost my hair, I might as well do as much as I can to keep this away!" 

Hopefully the treatments aren't too hard on you.  Good luck to you with whatever you decide.

Hi, I have completed 6 cycles over a 4 month period. Initially, like you I was happy that my CA 125 dropped from 85 to 18 after just one cycle. But my doctor advised me that long term cure is more important that short term relief. I think she meant that the chances of a relaspe is high if I dont rid myself of as much cancer cells as possible.

Earlier this month, I had my PET scan which showed 90% resolution. This is despite continuous low normal CA 125 score. I had to extend my chemo + biological treatment.

I think the issue here is to find the best treatment result over the long run as ovarian cancer has high relaspe rate.

I was initially impatient like yourself but am now convinced that a thorough treatment regime is a better choice in the long run. Since I have to suffer so much pain from surgery and chemo, I would rather I race through the end.