Question about CA 125

Editgrl
Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

When I first met with my medical oncologist, she told me that my CA 125 was 8 before my hysterectomy, thus, not a good marker for me.

Today, when I went to have my blood drawn before my chemo tomorrow, she had ordered a CA 125 test.  Is this usual?  If it isn't a good marker, then what is the point of having the test done?  Just curious.

Comments

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #2
    Mine

    was not elevated preop either So I asked my doc the  same question.  It's been long enough ago that I no longer recall exactly what he said but the gist was that it still could become elevated with recurrence.  

  • survivingsu
    survivingsu Member Posts: 134 Member
    #3
    Just 1 tool to look for changes

    My guess is it is just 1 tool to look for any changes.  Mine is at 7.  6 years ago, when I was very sick, I believe it was 19.  So while not an accurate indicator (still in the "normal" range), it is used with other things such as scans, exams, and your own personal awareness of any symptoms or changes.  If the drs find a sudden change, then it is time to look further.

    Hope this was helpful,

    Susan

  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    #4
    My CA 125 before surgery was

    My CA 125 before surgery was 15.  After surgery it jumped to 169.2 before chemo.  Before each chemo they took the Blood test.  It went down each time till it settled around 12-13.  I got shingles this year and my CA went up to 16.1 my Gyn Onc Dr ordered a CT scan because it jumped.  I told it was because of the shingles but she wanted to make sure.  The last blood test I had Sep 21 it was back in the 13 range.  So it will fluctuate.  They do the test to make sure the number is going down.  The reason it went up after surgery is because of the trauma to the abdomen during surgery ( removing organs, cutting lymph nodes out, clipping off blood veins, etc).  That is what my dr told me.  It is not a good marker for me but I still have them even now 4 years after. trish

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #5
    txtrisha55 said:

    My CA 125 before surgery was

    My CA 125 before surgery was 15.  After surgery it jumped to 169.2 before chemo.  Before each chemo they took the Blood test.  It went down each time till it settled around 12-13.  I got shingles this year and my CA went up to 16.1 my Gyn Onc Dr ordered a CT scan because it jumped.  I told it was because of the shingles but she wanted to make sure.  The last blood test I had Sep 21 it was back in the 13 range.  So it will fluctuate.  They do the test to make sure the number is going down.  The reason it went up after surgery is because of the trauma to the abdomen during surgery ( removing organs, cutting lymph nodes out, clipping off blood veins, etc).  That is what my dr told me.  It is not a good marker for me but I still have them even now 4 years after. trish

    This makes sense

    My medical oncologist told me at our first appointment that the CA-125 had been done before surgery, but not after.  She is probably looking at whatever this result is as a baseline.  Most of my blood test results are released to me automatically online but not this.  I'll ask her about it at my next appointment.   Thanks, Trish.

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #6
    Chris

    My CA125 pre-surgery was 21. Well within the normal range.  It jumped to 90+ post-surgery. My local oncologist retested for a 3rd time and it is now in the 30s.

    My surgeon said that it is not unusual to jump up after surgery. My local guy wanted to watch it and plans to continue testing for who knows how long?

    I hope you continue to have minimal chemo impacts. Thinking of you today. I will experience the big dose for the first time next Thursday. :-)

    Take care my chemosabe partner,

    Cindi

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #7
    TeddyandBears_Mom said:

    Chris

    My CA125 pre-surgery was 21. Well within the normal range.  It jumped to 90+ post-surgery. My local oncologist retested for a 3rd time and it is now in the 30s.

    My surgeon said that it is not unusual to jump up after surgery. My local guy wanted to watch it and plans to continue testing for who knows how long?

    I hope you continue to have minimal chemo impacts. Thinking of you today. I will experience the big dose for the first time next Thursday. :-)

    Take care my chemosabe partner,

    Cindi

    Enjoy your two weeks!

    All right.  I guess I won't get too freaked out then if the number is high.  

    I hope you are enjoying your break and I truly hope you have good luck with "the big dose."  I think with the adjustments that you have made with your pre-meds, you'll do fine.

    I had my third round today.  Woo hoo! Halfway there.  So far, so good.  Hoping that my pattern holds because I'm going to my 45th high school reunion tomorrow if I feel well enough.  And I plan to look awesome!  I haven't decided whether to rock the Annie Lennox look or wear the wig. Of course, the low cut dresses are kinda out unless I cover my port with rhinestones or such.

     

     

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #8
    Editgrl said:

    Enjoy your two weeks!

    All right.  I guess I won't get too freaked out then if the number is high.  

    I hope you are enjoying your break and I truly hope you have good luck with "the big dose."  I think with the adjustments that you have made with your pre-meds, you'll do fine.

    I had my third round today.  Woo hoo! Halfway there.  So far, so good.  Hoping that my pattern holds because I'm going to my 45th high school reunion tomorrow if I feel well enough.  And I plan to look awesome!  I haven't decided whether to rock the Annie Lennox look or wear the wig. Of course, the low cut dresses are kinda out unless I cover my port with rhinestones or such.

     

     

    Enjoy!

    Chris, You crack me up!  I hope you have a great time tonight. Love the idea of rhinestones on the port. :-)

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