I could cry a river

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VickiReed
VickiReed Member Posts: 66
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I go for my first check up on April 13th and had my blood draw last friday. I got a call from
the doctors office today saying that I need to schedule a CT scan because my CA-125 is up to 46. I
guess I am platinum resistant. I wonder what lies ahead. I sure was hoping it could have lasted longer til I had to start this crap all over again.

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  • eward
    eward Member Posts: 210
    #2
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    chemo?
    Have you already had chemo? My mom's CA was over 3000 at recurrance a year ago. Recurrance doesn't mean resistance to chemo necessarily.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #3
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    CA-125 is not just an
    CA-125 is not just an ovarian cancer marker. It is also an indication of inflammation. I know it is alarming for it to go up (I freaked when mine went up a few points, and at a different lab,) but the CT scan should settle the matter. What was your CA-125 previously? My gyn/onc does not regard it as so significant, but admitted that "everyone wants to know" the number. I hope the scan shows you are NED.
  • VickiReed
    VickiReed Member Posts: 66
    #4
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    anicca said:

    CA-125 is not just an
    CA-125 is not just an ovarian cancer marker. It is also an indication of inflammation. I know it is alarming for it to go up (I freaked when mine went up a few points, and at a different lab,) but the CT scan should settle the matter. What was your CA-125 previously? My gyn/onc does not regard it as so significant, but admitted that "everyone wants to know" the number. I hope the scan shows you are NED.

    Yes, I had the debulking
    Yes, I had the debulking surgery in Oct. by Jan my Ca-125 was 7.
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #5
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    VickiReed said:

    Yes, I had the debulking
    Yes, I had the debulking surgery in Oct. by Jan my Ca-125 was 7.

    Why not get a PET/CT scan?
    Whoa, what disappointing news!

    If I were in your shoes, I would insist on a PET/CT scan. What if the CT scan is inconclusive?

    The PET/CT scan is gonna give you a better picture of what is going on regarding cancer activity.

    From what I could figure out, a rise in CA-125 is not 100% indicative of recurrence...calm down if you can and do your best to play the waiting game; there is still the possibility that you are OK.

    Try taking a slow, deep breath and repeating:
    I am a strong survivor; I AM a strong survivor; I am a STRONG survivor; I am a strong SURVIVOR; yes, I am!
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #6
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    LaundryQueen said:

    Why not get a PET/CT scan?
    Whoa, what disappointing news!

    If I were in your shoes, I would insist on a PET/CT scan. What if the CT scan is inconclusive?

    The PET/CT scan is gonna give you a better picture of what is going on regarding cancer activity.

    From what I could figure out, a rise in CA-125 is not 100% indicative of recurrence...calm down if you can and do your best to play the waiting game; there is still the possibility that you are OK.

    Try taking a slow, deep breath and repeating:
    I am a strong survivor; I AM a strong survivor; I am a STRONG survivor; I am a strong SURVIVOR; yes, I am!

    I know you are probably freightened it will be ok
    I know you are probably freightened. I will pray fo ryou honey. God will get you through this
    Hugs lynda
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #7
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    eward said:

    chemo?
    Have you already had chemo? My mom's CA was over 3000 at recurrance a year ago. Recurrance doesn't mean resistance to chemo necessarily.

    E.....
    This is NOT a
    E.....

    This is NOT a confirmed recurrence, but generally speaking, a recurrence less than six months after completing first line chemo is regarded as "platinum resistance."

    Carlene
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #8
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    HANG IN THERE, VICKI
    Good advice from everyone here. I agree that there are lots of possible reasons for this rise. I also agree that if the doctor has continued concerns, maybe a PET scan would be in order. Please keep us informed. Don't think the worst. Sending prayers and hugs.

    Monika
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #9
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    another blood test
    Could you not have another blood test, or maybe a couple to see if it's a genuine rising trend? I understand that a scan won't always show early recurrent tumors unless they are cohesive masses. Also, there's research to show that early treatment of recurrence doesn't affect ultimate outcomes but DOES affect a patient's quality of life. How are you feeling? If you feel good, maybe they'll give you a bit of a break before resuming chemo. How about an HE4 test to compare w/CA125? Just a thought. Of course, I'm no oncologist.
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #10
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    Keep your chin up :)
    It is a horrid feeling when you think the cancer is on the rise..... but 46 is not toobad at this stage. I have a feeling I may be platinum resistant as my numbers went up whilst I was on carbo/taxol BUT there are loads of different chemos out there to try. I have always tried to look on the positive (believe me its been hard since I was diagnosed) and like to think there will be a chemo that suits me somewhere.
    Takem care Tina xx

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