CA 125 Elevation in the Safe Zone

cindy333
cindy333 Member Posts: 9
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Good Morning Ladies!

It has been awhile since I posted, but I keep up with all of you everyday.  You have helped me get through my fight of Ovarian Cancer.  I just finished my last chemo last week.  I have a question for you.  After my surger my CA 125 number was 24.  Then after my first round of chemo it was 11 until my last one, last week which was 12.  Now I know anything under 30-35 is in the "safe zone".  And I know that one elevated number doesn't mean anything, just if it elevates like 3-4 times in a row.  Here is my question.  If it elevates 3-4 times in a row but is still in the "safe zone"  is there still a concern for cancer or only when it is above 30-35?  I know I shouldn't make my new normal about fear, worry, waiting, wondering, scans, numbers,etc.  but as you know it is very hard not to.  All of you and your stories and information have been hugh for me.  I feel like everything I have learned about cancer, about my cancer I learned from all of you.  You have been a hugh resource for me, and I am so appreciative of it all.  Have a great day & Big Love to all of you!

Comments

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

    Remember the ca125 can elevate for other things other that cancer return.Initially women may not have many symptoms even if the ca125 is rising. As long as it is in the normal range under 35 it will be a wait and watch situation. It can fluctuate. However, if you start to get persistent symptoms of gi changes especially constipation, pain, nausea, bloating, urinary frequency.....call you doctor for an evaluation.Kim

  • scatsm
    scatsm Member Posts: 296 Member
    #3
    Cindy, glad to hear you are done with chemo!

    There are so many factors that go into interpreting the ca125. A person could go crazy contemplating the meaning of any given reading at any given time. For now, you have a nice, low ca125 and i hope you will be able to appreciate that for today, you are NED.

    That said, you can't predict what is going to happen tomorrow. That is the hardest part of this journey for me, trying to stay in the present and control my fears about the future. I had a ca125 of 2200 at diagnosis, down to 4 after sugery and chemo. There it stayed for over a year  until it started creeping up. It went from 4 to 6 to 8 to 11 to 14 to 17. And then a CT scan showed 'nodularity' on the omentum and it popped up to 44. No matter how much or little worrying I did, the creeping ca125 would have had the same result, a recurrence after 2 years of NED. I could have enjoyed my time more had I not obsessed about it so much. I hope what I have learned is that it is important to try to live in the moment. 

    I am halfway through second round chemo and I gotta say, I'm not enjoying it! I hope that when it is done, I will appreciate even more the time I get chemo free.The only thing we can control is how we react to this disease....whether or not it comes back doesn't seem to be in my control.

    I hope my story doesn't frighten you. There are lots of stories of creeping ca125s that end in continued remission. I certainly hope that for you! Only time will tell, so enjoy your time as much as you can!

    Susan

     

     

  • Susan P
    Susan P Member Posts: 103
    #4
    scatsm said:

    Cindy, glad to hear you are done with chemo!

    There are so many factors that go into interpreting the ca125. A person could go crazy contemplating the meaning of any given reading at any given time. For now, you have a nice, low ca125 and i hope you will be able to appreciate that for today, you are NED.

    That said, you can't predict what is going to happen tomorrow. That is the hardest part of this journey for me, trying to stay in the present and control my fears about the future. I had a ca125 of 2200 at diagnosis, down to 4 after sugery and chemo. There it stayed for over a year  until it started creeping up. It went from 4 to 6 to 8 to 11 to 14 to 17. And then a CT scan showed 'nodularity' on the omentum and it popped up to 44. No matter how much or little worrying I did, the creeping ca125 would have had the same result, a recurrence after 2 years of NED. I could have enjoyed my time more had I not obsessed about it so much. I hope what I have learned is that it is important to try to live in the moment. 

    I am halfway through second round chemo and I gotta say, I'm not enjoying it! I hope that when it is done, I will appreciate even more the time I get chemo free.The only thing we can control is how we react to this disease....whether or not it comes back doesn't seem to be in my control.

    I hope my story doesn't frighten you. There are lots of stories of creeping ca125s that end in continued remission. I certainly hope that for you! Only time will tell, so enjoy your time as much as you can!

    Susan

     

     

    CA 125 in Safe zone

    Hi Cindy I was dx in 2013 & completed surgery & xTx by  April 2013

    my last CA # was 17 down from 4,000 at dx I just had a PET to show there's no active cancer a tpresent--- so I am now officially in "wait & see" mode - next appt SEPT for another PET - just to follow one spot thery were not sure about & did n't think it was anything

    I am a face it head on - kind of person  - so I know  it often comes back knowing that I've come up with a logical  thought - I think

     

     

    there are millons of people "out there" growing cancer & have no idea whereas I will be closely monitored - caught early & be lined up quickley with the correct onc for the recurrance.

    ask you doc if your CA is concerning to him/her

     

     

     

    Cancer is nnot cured but controled all denying it  it will do is not allow yyou to fight it as best as you can.

     

     

    As far as your CA#'s - they are a very vague guideline for the docs to help decide if & what testing is needed  -they dont worry on just othe CA#there are other factors other factors they would look a tbefore they would make a definative call

     

    Everyone says how "strong" I am but I really believe mind games & doing what yI have to do has helped me

    the most & another - Mantra - mind-game tool I use & believe - NO AMOUNT OF WORRY WILL CHANGE ANYTHING!

     

    Try & gert the facts from your docs & ask what they think they think about your current situation & what ever it is deal with it it ideal with it--- at present it is nothing -- & you are not on chemo & feel good -- take the time to enjoy life

     

     

    as I close this. I have to say I have not experienced a recurrance yet and I will maybe be a different person when I do  BUT the hints aboabove are just ways I have mentally dealt with OVCA so far.

     

    Cindy I wish you the best at this uncertain time  -- waiting to know is almost harder than dealing with something

     

    Susan P  from Alberta Canada & TX& WY

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #5
    Susan P said:

    CA 125 in Safe zone

    Hi Cindy I was dx in 2013 & completed surgery & xTx by  April 2013

    my last CA # was 17 down from 4,000 at dx I just had a PET to show there's no active cancer a tpresent--- so I am now officially in "wait & see" mode - next appt SEPT for another PET - just to follow one spot thery were not sure about & did n't think it was anything

    I am a face it head on - kind of person  - so I know  it often comes back knowing that I've come up with a logical  thought - I think

     

     

    there are millons of people "out there" growing cancer & have no idea whereas I will be closely monitored - caught early & be lined up quickley with the correct onc for the recurrance.

    ask you doc if your CA is concerning to him/her

     

     

     

    Cancer is nnot cured but controled all denying it  it will do is not allow yyou to fight it as best as you can.

     

     

    As far as your CA#'s - they are a very vague guideline for the docs to help decide if & what testing is needed  -they dont worry on just othe CA#there are other factors other factors they would look a tbefore they would make a definative call

     

    Everyone says how "strong" I am but I really believe mind games & doing what yI have to do has helped me

    the most & another - Mantra - mind-game tool I use & believe - NO AMOUNT OF WORRY WILL CHANGE ANYTHING!

     

    Try & gert the facts from your docs & ask what they think they think about your current situation & what ever it is deal with it it ideal with it--- at present it is nothing -- & you are not on chemo & feel good -- take the time to enjoy life

     

     

    as I close this. I have to say I have not experienced a recurrance yet and I will maybe be a different person when I do  BUT the hints aboabove are just ways I have mentally dealt with OVCA so far.

     

    Cindy I wish you the best at this uncertain time  -- waiting to know is almost harder than dealing with something

     

    Susan P  from Alberta Canada & TX& WY

    Hi Cindy

    Congratulations on finishing your chemo!  I know how you're feeling.  On the one hand, you're happy to be done with chemo and to have a good CA 125, but on the other hand, you worry about a recurrence.  You don't even want to see a one digit rise in your CA 125.  However, it sounds like to me that you're doing really well.  When it comes to changes in the CA 125, doctors look for a trend, in terms of rising numbers.  You're not in that position.

    Like Susan, I have not had a recurrence.  I've been living with NED (no evidence of disease) for over three years, since my chemo ended in March 2011.  I try not to live with "what if's" but enjoy each day.  I hope NED never leaves your side too.

    Take care,

    Kelly

     

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