ca125

kimberly sue 63
kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1

im 16 months from my last chemo treatment. my ca125 have been 5-6 since ending treatment untill last month when i was a 9 and this month a 10... i know it is still normal level... i have no real symptoms other than irritable bowel but have had that since surgery.... im somewhat worried about a reoccurance.any advice??? i talked with my surgeon and oncologist and i get a ct scan and vaginal ultrasound next week.

 

Comments

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
    background

    just background,,,,,my background is highest ca125 was 89 before debulking surgery,,,i was stage 3c.....

     

  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #3
    Smart move

    Getting a CT scan and ultrasound will give you and your ONC clearer info. We'll be waiting to hear of your results. Your CA-125s look great, but the scans will give you peace of mind.

                                                                ((((HUGS))))   Maria

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #4
    Mwee said:

    Smart move

    Getting a CT scan and ultrasound will give you and your ONC clearer info. We'll be waiting to hear of your results. Your CA-125s look great, but the scans will give you peace of mind.

                                                                ((((HUGS))))   Maria

    true

    i know the ca125 is normal... but is the first change in 16 months... a little scary... thanks for the support1 kim

  • scatsm
    scatsm Member Posts: 296 Member
    #5
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    true

    i know the ca125 is normal... but is the first change in 16 months... a little scary... thanks for the support1 kim

    I'm in the same boat, just a bit farther down the line....

    I finished treatment in March 2012, almost 2 years ago. CA125 was in the 4's starting after surgery (I had 4 rounds of chemo, then surgery, then 4 more rounds). for the next year it stayed there, then it went to 5, 8.8, 14.4, and now, 17.1.  A month ago I had a CT scan because of rising liver enzymes (fatty liver) and it was clear for liver and lungs, but there was "nodularity" on my omentum (whats left of it I guess). Now my gyn onc wants another CA125 in March and if it rises again, another CT scan.....while my CA125 is still in the normal range, it is rising each time I have the bloodwork done and, after 4 rises in a row, is therefore possibly a recurrence. 

    So, the good news is that yours has risen only twice and there can be a lot of reasons for that having nothing to do with cancer. 

    I wish we could have an easier time of it. Fear of recurrence seems to be an on-going stressor. I want to be told that I am cancer free and not to worry anymore, but that isn't going to happen....ever.

    Right now, I am really trying to stay in today, and today I don't have a recurrence. Today the sun is shining (finally) and I am going to have a good day. I am going to think positively and be grateful for my blessings. I have a month before I have to deal with this and I hope I will go into denial mode and enjoy life.

    I hope you can do the same. It is a **** card we've been dealt, but all we can do is try to live life fully anyway! 

    Take a deep breath and have a good day...and don't forget to let us know how you are doing.

    Susan

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #6
    scatsm said:

    I'm in the same boat, just a bit farther down the line....

    I finished treatment in March 2012, almost 2 years ago. CA125 was in the 4's starting after surgery (I had 4 rounds of chemo, then surgery, then 4 more rounds). for the next year it stayed there, then it went to 5, 8.8, 14.4, and now, 17.1.  A month ago I had a CT scan because of rising liver enzymes (fatty liver) and it was clear for liver and lungs, but there was "nodularity" on my omentum (whats left of it I guess). Now my gyn onc wants another CA125 in March and if it rises again, another CT scan.....while my CA125 is still in the normal range, it is rising each time I have the bloodwork done and, after 4 rises in a row, is therefore possibly a recurrence. 

    So, the good news is that yours has risen only twice and there can be a lot of reasons for that having nothing to do with cancer. 

    I wish we could have an easier time of it. Fear of recurrence seems to be an on-going stressor. I want to be told that I am cancer free and not to worry anymore, but that isn't going to happen....ever.

    Right now, I am really trying to stay in today, and today I don't have a recurrence. Today the sun is shining (finally) and I am going to have a good day. I am going to think positively and be grateful for my blessings. I have a month before I have to deal with this and I hope I will go into denial mode and enjoy life.

    I hope you can do the same. It is a **** card we've been dealt, but all we can do is try to live life fully anyway! 

    Take a deep breath and have a good day...and don't forget to let us know how you are doing.

    Susan

    thanks

    I appreciate your support. I hope you to will stay in remission.  remember your own words to me...it is still in normal range!!! Drink some gren tea, it could help!! You too kep up with us about your tests. Kim

     

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #7
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    thanks

    I appreciate your support. I hope you to will stay in remission.  remember your own words to me...it is still in normal range!!! Drink some gren tea, it could help!! You too kep up with us about your tests. Kim

     

    Hi Kim

    I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your way that you get good results from your scan and ultrasound.  The small rise could very well be due to other non-serious things.  Please keep us posted!

    Warm hugs,

    Kelly

     

  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
    #8
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Kim

    I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your way that you get good results from your scan and ultrasound.  The small rise could very well be due to other non-serious things.  Please keep us posted!

    Warm hugs,

    Kelly

     

    Normal Normal Normal...  Keep

    Normal Normal Normal...  Keep telling yourself that.  I know easier said than done right....  After chemo I stayed at 10 or 11 except for once it was 19 but I was getting over a little intestinal bug at the time.  Retested the next month at it was 11.  My test in NY all stayed between 10 and 11 since chemo ended.  My doc was happy with that and my scan was clear....  Please TRY not to worry.  Like Susan said "focus on today"..  I will say that when I had my CA in October it was 5.8.  This last one in January was 6.4 and my onc was thrilled with the result...  You are in my thoughts and prayers..... Please keep us posted.

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #9
    Glad to be done said:

    Normal Normal Normal...  Keep

    Normal Normal Normal...  Keep telling yourself that.  I know easier said than done right....  After chemo I stayed at 10 or 11 except for once it was 19 but I was getting over a little intestinal bug at the time.  Retested the next month at it was 11.  My test in NY all stayed between 10 and 11 since chemo ended.  My doc was happy with that and my scan was clear....  Please TRY not to worry.  Like Susan said "focus on today"..  I will say that when I had my CA in October it was 5.8.  This last one in January was 6.4 and my onc was thrilled with the result...  You are in my thoughts and prayers..... Please keep us posted.

    update

    CT scan and vaginal ultrasound yesterday.....All clear...No sign of any reoccurance!!! What a relief.  Thanks to all for your support. KimSealed

  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
    #10
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    update

    CT scan and vaginal ultrasound yesterday.....All clear...No sign of any reoccurance!!! What a relief.  Thanks to all for your support. KimSealed

    Wool hoop.  You had me second

    Wool hoop.  You had me second guessing mine going from 5.8 to 6.4....   I am soooooooo happy for you.  You finished chemo right behind me.  I am 20 months out

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #11
    Glad to be done said:

    Wool hoop.  You had me second

    Wool hoop.  You had me second guessing mine going from 5.8 to 6.4....   I am soooooooo happy for you.  You finished chemo right behind me.  I am 20 months out

    Hurrah, Kim!

    I'm doing the happy dance for you! Smile

    Kelly

  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #12
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    update

    CT scan and vaginal ultrasound yesterday.....All clear...No sign of any reoccurance!!! What a relief.  Thanks to all for your support. KimSealed

    Yeah!!! you made my day

    Oh, Kim, I'm so very happy to hear this news.   (((((HUGS)))))   Maria

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #13
    Mwee said:

    Yeah!!! you made my day

    Oh, Kim, I'm so very happy to hear this news.   (((((HUGS)))))   Maria

    dont happy dance too fast!

    Recheck yesterday....CA125 doubled to a 20.  Still normal and yeah scans and ultrasound a few weeks ago normal...but concerning. My last time I was in the 20's was right before I started chemo. I get another check in two months. Does anyone think 2 months is too long to wait for a recheck?

    Kim

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #14
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    dont happy dance too fast!

    Recheck yesterday....CA125 doubled to a 20.  Still normal and yeah scans and ultrasound a few weeks ago normal...but concerning. My last time I was in the 20's was right before I started chemo. I get another check in two months. Does anyone think 2 months is too long to wait for a recheck?

    Kim

    Hey Kim,

    Don't panic. And 2 months till re-check is not too long. If it is in fact an early recurrence (and it's a big IF, since everything is still normal), radiologically (CT scan) disease will be only seen about 1 month after CA125 hits 70 (double upper normal limit). And symptoms follow 3-4 months after that. There is no need to start treatment until there are symptoms.

    I hope it's a false alarm.

    All the best,

    Alexandra

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #15
    Alexandra said:

    Hey Kim,

    Don't panic. And 2 months till re-check is not too long. If it is in fact an early recurrence (and it's a big IF, since everything is still normal), radiologically (CT scan) disease will be only seen about 1 month after CA125 hits 70 (double upper normal limit). And symptoms follow 3-4 months after that. There is no need to start treatment until there are symptoms.

    I hope it's a false alarm.

    All the best,

    Alexandra

    my worries i was never higher

    my worries i was never higher than 89 prior to surgery. 29 after surgery  4 weeks and before first chemo... im not one of those high CA125 women..... i know my level is normal...but concerning for my history.KIM

     

  • wholfmeister
    wholfmeister Member Posts: 315
    #16
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    my worries i was never higher

    my worries i was never higher than 89 prior to surgery. 29 after surgery  4 weeks and before first chemo... im not one of those high CA125 women..... i know my level is normal...but concerning for my history.KIM

     

    Alexandra is right

    I agree with her.  It is a bit long for you NERVES but not for your cancer.  CA125 is a funny test and is just one thing to consider. Don't panic.  My two remaining cancerous nodes are so very small my gyro-onc can't feel them, and he could only tell the increase in size by comparing to the CT from six months ago.  The CA125 rise was very, very slow, albeit constantly upward.  Be patient.  Live life..

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #17
    wholfmeister said:

    Alexandra is right

    I agree with her.  It is a bit long for you NERVES but not for your cancer.  CA125 is a funny test and is just one thing to consider. Don't panic.  My two remaining cancerous nodes are so very small my gyro-onc can't feel them, and he could only tell the increase in size by comparing to the CT from six months ago.  The CA125 rise was very, very slow, albeit constantly upward.  Be patient.  Live life..

    Good advice
    thank you
     

    Good advice

    thank you

     

  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #18
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    Good advice
    thank you
     

    Good advice

    thank you

     

    If you are not comfortable waiting

    I would ask your doctor to check it in a month if it is going to cause you too much worry to wait.Rule of thumb is to watch it if it doubles at any level.

    Can you have a pet/ ct scan done when they scan you? You are probably fine so try to relax but it is better to ask for the extra ca125 rather then worry the whole time.

    Colleen

Discussion Boards