What does CA 125 mean?

From Anna,

Hi all, My friend Karen said her CA 125 what does that mean?  She also said that today's number was between 7 and 8.  What does that mean.  What should this number be?

Your friend,

Anna

Hi alot of things can affect this count.......my  husbands was 200 and he had pancreatic cancer at 38 years of age.   why  were the doctors testing it anyway? Dawny x

 From Anna,

Hi Dawny, She has Ovarian Caner.  The numbers were all she said.  She is being treated for it.

Your friend,

Anna

On 4/29/2009 dawny wrote:

Hi alot of things can affect this count.......my  husbands was 200 and he had pancreatic cancer at 38 years of age.   why  were the doctors testing it anyway? Dawny x

 

Hi Anna, I am Nancy and I have ovarian cancer stage 3 c was dx in july 07, and had sugery,with debulking and 7 rounds of taxol/cabonplatin, and in dec started doxil for a reoccurence. 4 treatments of doxil and 125 did not come down, so I am on gemzar and carbonplatin now.

Ca 125 normal is 35 or below, lowerer the better. Its a blood test that detects cancer cells. thats the simplest annwer I know to give, If she has been under chemo treatments, that 8 is a good number, but doesn't always says your cured! Cancer can return and having check ups every month is a good thing to do, Her treatments are working!

Good luck and blessings Nancy

Well, CA125 is a protein that shows up in the blood and is considered merely a 'cancer antigen marker'. In other words, you could have a high level and have no cancer, or have a low level and have cancer, and every scenario in between. As you've probably read, there are women who have had numbers into the hundreds and have been NED (no evidence of disease). And while many of us aspire to reach the lowest number possible, some women have had levels of 5 or 6 and have had cancer. The bottom line is that each individual situation is different.

When this all first started for me, the range that most doctors and labs used was 0-35.  As time goes on, they will take this test routinely to watch for a rise in numbers to again alert them to possible problems. Now you have a general idea of what is 'normal' for you and you can use this test in conjunction with other tests to be watchful.

The unreliable part about this test is that the CA125 can rise for a number of reasons. When I was diagnosed I had no symptoms at all, My doctor gynecologist ordered a CA125 test which I wasn't even aware was included in the blood work.. It was 13,000,  But he sent me to a gynecologic/oncologist, which to this day, I will be eternally grateful for. I'm a stage 3c had surgery and debulking and am doing great. Although. I'm considered chronic I will be pretty much off and on chemo the rest of my life.

Since then, I had my CA125 tests monthly, then every other month, etc. After surgery, chemo, etc., I found my 'normal' range, which was 34 now mine jumped to 94.60 so they did a ct scan an found out there was appeared to be a small tumor. So I'm back on chemo. So for me, the numbers are a big help to at least give us some feedback. I will say, however, that it will go up from stress, infections, inflammation, etc. But it's the consistent rise in numbers that alerts us that something may be going on.

Well, I know this was lengthy, but I hope this helped you understand what it's all about. You can also Google 'CA125' and you will get more information. .

Hugs and paryers to you and your friend.

Hugs, Terry

Tell your friend that she should not worry about her count.  7
or 8......I have been up to 1,034 and since I have been receiving
Topotecan it is now down to 233.  It still is not great but I was
told normal would be 21 or less.  I am sure every doctor's opinion
varies.  I have been on chemo for 2 1/2 years without a
break.  I hope your friend's count (which are actually tumor
markers) stay down.  That is a good sign.  Some doctors will
tell you that the CA125 does not mean anything.............but they
take it anyway!!!!!!

Good luck and God bless.

 

rose 

Terry, your response was very helpful to that lady, I'm sure. Your situation is very much like that of my wife, who was dx.in 7/06, IIIC, total hyst. then removal of enlarged lymph nodes (2) one year later. She is now on Hycampin (topotecan) and has been for more than a year. No side effects, but now, after all this time, her CA-125 has slowly increased over the last 4 or 5 months from 37 to 78. Her health seems great, she has never felt sick in three years of the different chemos, never missed a day's work. Tomorrow, May 1st, she is scheduled to have another CT scan (the last one, in January, showed no enlarged lymph nodes, no ascites, nothing to be alarmed about) and I'm just hoping that nothing dangerous is going on. But it is wonderful to hear from a survivor who has done her homework and is actively involved with her own "situation." The doctors say my wife's disease can be treated  as a chronic condition, too, and she may be taking chemo the rest of her life. That would be fine, she seems to tolerate it so well. I wish you nothing but the very best, Terry, I will include you and all the other wonderful ladies dealing with this disease in my prayers. Always remember that new treatments are being discovered and tested every day....your comments are helpful to us all, Terry, thanks. John M.

That is a really great number. Between 1-35 is considered normal (remission). My mom has been going through this herself and is now at a 17 and considered in remission.

 From Anna,

Hi Nancy, I wish you and everyone with this well. Thanks for the info. It helps.  I know some about cancer my Dad has had Multiple Myeloma for 11 years.  His is a bone, blood and plasma cancer.

Your friend,

Anna

On 4/29/2009 PigNm wrote:

Hi Anna, I am Nancy and I have ovarian cancer stage 3 c was dx in july 07, and had sugery,with debulking and 7 rounds of taxol/cabonplatin, and in dec started doxil for a reoccurence. 4 treatments of doxil and 125 did not come down, so I am on gemzar and carbonplatin now.

Ca 125 normal is 35 or below, lowerer the better. Its a blood test that detects cancer cells. thats the simplest annwer I know to give, If she has been under chemo treatments, that 8 is a good number, but doesn't always says your cured! Cancer can return and having check ups every month is a good thing to do, Her treatments are working!

Good luck and blessings Nancy

 

Dear John, I will be praying that your wife's Ct Scan comes back clear and may she me in NED forever.

Hugs and tons of Healing, Terry