Ca-125

I just had a base line CA-125. I was not diagnosed with any cancer. I had the test with my yearly blood work up. The numbers came back with 77.7. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound.
How accurate is this reading? How concerned should I be?

Astro

Hi, there. I just found this site. I would guess that by now you've gotten your diagnosis and are on your way to some sort of treatment/therapy.

Hopefully, your CA-125 was repeated before anything too crazy happened. That was a bad number, but by having the test ordered, someone must've already suspected something was not normal.

I hope things are going well for you and that you'll touch base here again to let this board know what's happening.

Don't ever feel alone. Don't ever feel as if no one cares.

I care.

Angela

Thanks for your reply. I had a transvaginal ultrasond and a pelvic ultrasound. Everything looked great. No sign of any abnormalities. My doctor will repeat the bloodwork after my period. I had my ca-125 done 6 days before the onset of my period. Because of this, this test should not be routinely done on pre-menopausal women. But, we will keep an eye on future bloodwork.

Thanks for the concern

Astro

Merry Christmas Astro,
I hope you have had the test again and the numbers came back in the normal range (0-35)? I am sure your doctor told you that this is a screening for ovarian cancer, but not always a reliable one. I was diagnoised with OVCA, stage 111 in September of 2003 and the highest my CA-125 got was 151 - my tumors totaled 11 x 16 cm - pretty big. Anyhow, the screening I have received every 3-4 months since then is a CT scan and blood work. All has been clear of disease (well, until now, we are monitoring a lung nodule and I will be having a PET scan New Year's eve morning to try to rule out malignancy). My CA-125 has been at less than 2 since February 2004. You should try to keep a close watch for other symptoms because I have read the Ultrasound tests are less than reliable compared to a CT or PET scan. You can check websites like ovarian.org where you can see a list of symptoms. I had severe indigestion/heartburn and leg cramps in odd muscles, along with the usual symptoms.
Well, I pray you are in good health, and remain watchful. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends! Sincerely, Joan Marie

Joan Marie, I was wondering how you are doing. I just read your message today. I am also dealing with Stage III ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed in January 2001 and have had 2 recurrences. I felt a need to write to you mainly because I have 2 sisters named Joan and Marie. Hope you are well.

Dear Elaine,
Thanks for writing. I am doing ok but we are watching a couple of nodules in Lungs right now. I had 2 biopseys in January but neither one obtained any tissue to test. I will have another done next month. I feel great and it was just a fluke that my CT scan in August happened to spot the lung nodule as it was an abdominal/pelvic scan.

You have come a few years down the road since you were first diagnoised...sorry to hear about your recurrances though. How are you today?

Sending hopes and hugs that all is well with you. JoanMarie

Dear Joan Marie, I hope that from now on your CT Scan will always include your chest so that your lungs are checked also. I am doing well right now. I will have a CA 125 next month--I've been getting this test every 3 to 4 months since I was orginally diagnosed. When I had my last relapse (last spring) my CA 125 was only in the 20's, but I had some swollen lymph nodes in my neck that were biopsed. I have a terrible time during treatments, but bounce back well when it is all over. I am also seeing a naturopathic doctor now. Wishing you continued health.

Elaine

Joan Marie, how are you doing?