Confused about CA125

Royce1
Royce1 Member Posts: 24 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I'm really confused as to if the CA125 was a good marker for my Mom. She's always had low numbers, prior to her surgery it was 9, and after each chemo is was either 6,5,or 4. This last one was 3. So after reading some of your posts, I'm just wondering was this test a good marker for her because her numbers didn't change that much. I'm so grateful to have found this site to gain knowledge out this disease. Without the ladies on here sharing their experiences, I think I'd go nuts! Thanks everybody!

Comments

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #2
    Hey Royce, I don't exactly
    Hey Royce, I don't exactly what to tell you about the CA125 except it works as differently as there are different people! The test reacts to other illness, inflammation,stress,medicines...just a whole bunch of different things. For me they are a pretty good marker for UPSC, it sounds like your mothers numbers wont react as well. That's ok....we sometimes are ruled by those darn numbers! Don't worry about them so much...they are just numbers that kind of give a hint as to what to look for. Relax and get your mama back on her feet and ready to do battle! Best, debrajo
  • Royce1
    Royce1 Member Posts: 24 Member
    #3
    debrajo said:

    Hey Royce, I don't exactly
    Hey Royce, I don't exactly what to tell you about the CA125 except it works as differently as there are different people! The test reacts to other illness, inflammation,stress,medicines...just a whole bunch of different things. For me they are a pretty good marker for UPSC, it sounds like your mothers numbers wont react as well. That's ok....we sometimes are ruled by those darn numbers! Don't worry about them so much...they are just numbers that kind of give a hint as to what to look for. Relax and get your mama back on her feet and ready to do battle! Best, debrajo

    I'm just a worry wart
    Thanks debrajo! I'm just such a worry wart. It's so hard for me to relax when I keep reading so much information and hearing so many different stories. I guess I should stay off the internet for a while!:)
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #4
    Royce1 said:

    I'm just a worry wart
    Thanks debrajo! I'm just such a worry wart. It's so hard for me to relax when I keep reading so much information and hearing so many different stories. I guess I should stay off the internet for a while!:)

    Royce
    While certainly not an expert, I think logically the CA125 is NOT a good marker for your mother. If it were a good marker it would have been high prior to surgery and treatment and then drop. Without any marked change, this is not a reliable gauge of cancer for her.

    I know the internet is full of lots of mind boggling things. Just be careful of the source of info.

    All the best to you, your mom and family. Mary Ann
  • sunflash
    sunflash Member Posts: 197 Member
    #5
    daisy366 said:

    Royce
    While certainly not an expert, I think logically the CA125 is NOT a good marker for your mother. If it were a good marker it would have been high prior to surgery and treatment and then drop. Without any marked change, this is not a reliable gauge of cancer for her.

    I know the internet is full of lots of mind boggling things. Just be careful of the source of info.

    All the best to you, your mom and family. Mary Ann

    I've been told the CA125 is
    I've been told the CA125 is not a good marker for me. It's never been above 7, and my last one right after I finished chemo was a 4. I never had one taken before my hysterectomy because cancer wasn't suspected.
    But I had one along with all my other blood work during chemo. I don't know if I'll be getting any more.....but it's probably a nonissue for me.
  • Royce1
    Royce1 Member Posts: 24 Member
    #6
    daisy366 said:

    Royce
    While certainly not an expert, I think logically the CA125 is NOT a good marker for your mother. If it were a good marker it would have been high prior to surgery and treatment and then drop. Without any marked change, this is not a reliable gauge of cancer for her.

    I know the internet is full of lots of mind boggling things. Just be careful of the source of info.

    All the best to you, your mom and family. Mary Ann

    Exactly
    That's what I was thinking. Since the numbers really didn't move that much, and they were never that high to begin with...it's confusing! What does your doctor use as gauge for you? Is the CT scan or PET? Thanks Mary Ann! Well wishes to you too!
  • Royce1
    Royce1 Member Posts: 24 Member
    #7
    sunflash said:

    I've been told the CA125 is
    I've been told the CA125 is not a good marker for me. It's never been above 7, and my last one right after I finished chemo was a 4. I never had one taken before my hysterectomy because cancer wasn't suspected.
    But I had one along with all my other blood work during chemo. I don't know if I'll be getting any more.....but it's probably a nonissue for me.

    I'm really confued!
    Sunflash your numbers are similar to my Mom's numbers. She goes back to the doctor on July 6 and we'll be sure to ask about this. All this is so confusing! Take care!
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #8
    Royce1 said:

    Exactly
    That's what I was thinking. Since the numbers really didn't move that much, and they were never that high to begin with...it's confusing! What does your doctor use as gauge for you? Is the CT scan or PET? Thanks Mary Ann! Well wishes to you too!

    scans
    He always prefers PET/CT. But until I had a recurrence, my insurance would only pay for CT scan. I get PET/CTs now.

    Keep asking questions and advocating for yourself!!! Get copies of your records and keep file.

    Hang in there.
  • Royce1
    Royce1 Member Posts: 24 Member
    #9
    daisy366 said:

    scans
    He always prefers PET/CT. But until I had a recurrence, my insurance would only pay for CT scan. I get PET/CTs now.

    Keep asking questions and advocating for yourself!!! Get copies of your records and keep file.

    Hang in there.

    PET/CT
    Thanks! I'm definitely going to hang in there because I've got to for my Mom's sake! This site has been so helpful for me to get motivation and answers that we don't always get from the doctor. It's nice to talk with people who have actually experienced what we're going through. I am so grateful to the ladies on this site! Don't worry, I'll contine to ask questions and be an advocate for my Mom!

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