Had a routine CA125 4 days after my period at was 60

I requested a CA125 and it was 60. He felt a few nodules on my uterine lining so they will be ultrasounded with ovaries. Im 49 and have gone 6 months off and on without periods. Got two periods the past two months. One ended a few days before my doc visit. I have read that an elevated CA125 could be false in fact in up to 80% of cases because of endometriosis (which I have had in past), fibroids, mensturation, other factors.

I am getting an ultrasound on tuesday. Does anyone know about false positives and how common and/or significant a 60 CA 125 reading is? My daugther had thyroid cancer and the higher the number the more disease, so is this ca 125 marker similar? Is there any signficance to it?

Sorry for ignorance but learning before I move forward. THank you so much for your help. DP

 

On 6/5/2009 denmurpar wrote:

I requested a CA125 and it was 60. He felt a few nodules on my uterine lining so they will be ultrasounded with ovaries. Im 49 and have gone 6 months off and on without periods. Got two periods the past two months. One ended a few days before my doc visit. I have read that an elevated CA125 could be false in fact in up to 80% of cases because of endometriosis (which I have had in past), fibroids, mensturation, other factors.

I am getting an ultrasound on tuesday. Does anyone know about false positives and how common and/or significant a 60 CA 125 reading is? My daugther had thyroid cancer and the higher the number the more disease, so is this ca 125 marker similar? Is there any signficance to it?

Sorry for ignorance but learning before I move forward. THank you so much for your help. DP

The CA125 can be a false reading.  normal range is 0-35.  After DX 3 years ago at 1800, I had surgery and chemo.  Should have had a hysterectomy after my breast cancer 12 years ago, and I would have avoided peritoneal (initially ovarian) cancer.  I wouldn't fool around with this, have your ovaries removed.  It is a simple surgery with quick recovery and not worth the chance of having it go further.  Once it moves beyond the ovaries, you often have cancer forever since they really haven't found a cure.  I will probably be on chemo for the rest of my life.  Losing your ovaries would be a better choice.

Good luck and let us know how you come out.

Gayle

 

On 6/18/2009 Donna Gayle wrote:

 

On 6/5/2009 denmurpar wrote:

I requested a CA125 and it was 60. He felt a few nodules on my uterine lining so they will be ultrasounded with ovaries. Im 49 and have gone 6 months off and on without periods. Got two periods the past two months. One ended a few days before my doc visit. I have read that an elevated CA125 could be false in fact in up to 80% of cases because of endometriosis (which I have had in past), fibroids, mensturation, other factors.

I am getting an ultrasound on tuesday. Does anyone know about false positives and how common and/or significant a 60 CA 125 reading is? My daugther had thyroid cancer and the higher the number the more disease, so is this ca 125 marker similar? Is there any signficance to it?

Sorry for ignorance but learning before I move forward. THank you so much for your help. DP

The CA125 can be a false reading.  normal range is 0-35.  After DX 3 years ago at 1800, I had surgery and chemo.  Should have had a hysterectomy after my breast cancer 12 years ago, and I would have avoided peritoneal (initially ovarian) cancer.  I wouldn't fool around with this, have your ovaries removed.  It is a simple surgery with quick recovery and not worth the chance of having it go further.  Once it moves beyond the ovaries, you often have cancer forever since they really haven't found a cure.  I will probably be on chemo for the rest of my life.  Losing your ovaries would be a better choice.

Good luck and let us know how you come out.

Gayle

Hello Gayle, Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I had the ultrasound and the doc said my ovaries are clear and the fibroids looked innocent. can ovarian cancer always been seen with a TV US? He said the next step is to check the ca125 again in about 6 weeks (4 wks from now) to see what that number 60 does. He said he would rather err on side of caution and not wait too long. He said the imaging was good news though (transvaginal US). From my reading online, I have found that there is a high false postive. It says when it's over 100 more likely to be related to cancer. Also endometriosis and fibroids can elevate that number. I was on day 6 of my period when I had blood drawn which doc said menstruration can elevate too. I'm just not sure but after reading your email, If that number is anywhere above 35 i will most likely ask for a hysterectomy. You have been on a long journey I will keep you in my prayers for wellness and healing. Thanks again. DP

I

 

Hi,

Other conditions definately raise your CA125.  I would recommend having a Abdominal and Pelvic CT Scan next.

 

Thank you for your response. I have heard that other conditions could cause a rise in ca125 including any inflammation in the pelvic area like endometrioiss and fibroids. I did have fibroids on this visit that were never there before. He said a few have popped up. My FSH is 40 which is high, but I am still getting periods occassionally and 50 yrs old, I know I'm perimenpausal but not post yet. I think the ca125 is more specific for ovarian cancer if it post menopausal and there is a mass associated with it. They did my ultrasound and said ovaries looked fine. So now I will go back and get another ca125 to see what that 60 does. I read online a doc said if you test ca125 on day 26 versus day 12 of your menstral cycle, then you will get a huge variation in the number if it's related to endometriosis. So to get blood tested on both those days of cycle to see if it's caused by endo. I had my checked on day 6 of my cycle since I knew my period started about 6 days before the bloodtest. I guess I should try getting it checked about day 12 or so to be sure it's closer to the lowest point. Thanks again. dP