What does anyone know about the CA125

Hi Paula. Well a normal CA125 can be anywhere from 0 to I believe it is 32. So when your Dr. says it is normal it can be anywhere in between those numbers. Some people can have a normal CA125 and still have cancer and some people can have an elevated CA125 and not have cancer so it isn't the most reliable test. That is why ovarian cancer is so hard to detect. But I would think that a normal CA125 would be a good thing in your case and that the "mass" could just be a benign cyst or something. But it is good to check it out. I'll keep you in my prayers that everything turns out fine for you. I know it is crazy to tell you to try not to worry and waiting is not fun but all you can do is put it in God's hands and hope for the best. I wish you all the luck in the world and please keep us posted. Take care, Polly

Paula - I also agree the CA 125 normal range is 32 and below. When I had my test in July before I left the hospital mine was 1632 and last Monday I was at 10.1. This was after debulking surgery and 2 treatments. I too cannot believe your doctor does not give you all of your numbers. My doctor's office calls every Monday afternoon to give me the numbers plus they make copies of the lab reports and give them to me when I go in for my physical every 3 weeks.

Is the doctor you are currently working with a gynecological/oncologist/surgeon? Or just the same surgeon you worked with before on the colon cancer? You do have a right to a second opinion and if that is not feasible then I would personally call and ask for a face to face appointment and go in with a list of questions that you want answered. It is your right, it is your body and you need to be proactive in your treatment. I had to do this and I was terrified that the doctor would think I was questioning her - but I had to do it to put my mind at rest and feel like I was really being listened too. That I was a person and not just a patient.

I wish you peace of mind and please keep us posted . You can also googles this stuff. The National Cancer Institute website has a lot of great information as does curetoday.com.

Take care! Kris

paula44 said:

Thanks for your responses; now I feel scared all over again, like maybe the dr isn't telling me everything or isn't doing his job. I worry worry worry. I'm in Dallas at what is supposed to be one of the top hospitals in the country and I believe with qualified drs - at least I want to believe that. My ob/gyn is a surgeon; my colorectal surgeon performed my colon surgery. Now the two drs are working back and forth since this latest development appears to be more of a ob/gyn matter. My ob/gyn has said from the start that he thinks this cysts is possibly a blood clot, from the ovarian being disturbed during the colon surgery and subsequently "bleeding out". But then he ran the CA125 which made me wonder what he was thinking. Also I saw the radiologist report that said it couldn't rule out ovarian cancer, based on the appearance of the cyst. But my dr doesn't want to do surgery on me right now - until I heal some more from the colon surgery. So is he being aggressive enough? Or am I just borrowing trouble? This is driving me crazy. It's all I think about.

Thanks for everyone's kind words and helpful advice. Paula

Paula:
Wow, do I feel your anxiety. We've all been there, and it is no easy path. But I echo the words of all others - get a copy of your results. If nothing else, it will give you something to refer to regarding further tests. We all need that 'baseline' number. Then they would watch for sudden increases, or even a slow consistent rise that may alert them to possible problems and warrant a more thorough investigation. Even though the CA125 is not used as a diagnostic tool, it's still useful.

Take a breather this weekend. First thing Monday get a copy of the report. We'd be more than happy to give you some feedback once we know what the level is, according to our own experiences. And knowing 'something' is there, your doctor did the right thing by running the test. It doesn't mean there IS a problem. Try to spend your 'anxiety energy' for recovery instead. The sooner you recooperate from an already stressful situation, the sooner you can deal with whatever you need to deal with. Please don't think the worst. We'll be waiting to hear from you.

Till then. . .
Hugs and Prayers!
Monika

paula44 said:

Thanks for your responses; now I feel scared all over again, like maybe the dr isn't telling me everything or isn't doing his job. I worry worry worry. I'm in Dallas at what is supposed to be one of the top hospitals in the country and I believe with qualified drs - at least I want to believe that. My ob/gyn is a surgeon; my colorectal surgeon performed my colon surgery. Now the two drs are working back and forth since this latest development appears to be more of a ob/gyn matter. My ob/gyn has said from the start that he thinks this cysts is possibly a blood clot, from the ovarian being disturbed during the colon surgery and subsequently "bleeding out". But then he ran the CA125 which made me wonder what he was thinking. Also I saw the radiologist report that said it couldn't rule out ovarian cancer, based on the appearance of the cyst. But my dr doesn't want to do surgery on me right now - until I heal some more from the colon surgery. So is he being aggressive enough? Or am I just borrowing trouble? This is driving me crazy. It's all I think about.

Thanks for everyone's kind words and helpful advice. Paula

I had my debulking surgery at Baylor by a gyn/onc that offices in Sammons Cancer Center (Texas Oncology). He comes to Midland every other month for my check ups and I have my chemo here with Texas Oncology. If you have further surgery for the ovary make sure it is a gyn/oncologist because they have special training in removing all the little spots that have spread.
My surgeon got everything over one half a centimeter, and my cancer had spread to the liver and everything in between. Have a good weekend and don't worry.

paula44 said:

I can't believe how supportive everyone here has been. I had my colon surgery with someone in the Sammons Tower; however my gyn is not. I may want that name if it gets to that point. I did take the day off and my husband took me out of town. I still worried, but it helped. To top it all off I received a jury summons in the mail yesterday! Like I'm really up to that!

Thanks so much for all of your support. I'll keep you posted.

Hi Paula,
Those of us on this board diagnosed with ovarian cancer have come to measure the state of our health with the CA-125 test, therefore those numbers are very important to us. At this point, I don't think that's something you need to worry about. As you know by now, those numbers aren't very meaningful without a diagnosis, which you won't have until after surgery.

I know how hard it is to have to wait to remove from your body what could potentially be cancer, but as your doc has stated, surgery now can do you more harm than good. So, as frustrating as it is unfortunately you have to wait. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry! In all likelyhood your OB/GYN is correct in thinking that the mass on your ovary is a result of your previous surgery, and NOT cancerous. It sounds to me like he is doing everything that needs to and can be done at this point except one: to refer you to a Gynocologic Oncologist for at least a consultation, and probably for the surgery as well. I understand that your GYN is a surgeon and could therefore handle the operation, but on the off chance that this mass does turn out to be cancerous, your best odds are with this specialist. I know Saundra has mentioned it above, but I just want to make sure you understand the importance of it, so please be sure to ask for this referral!

In the mean time, healing from your previous surgery is your #1 priority. I don't know if this is of any help, but the only way I was able to go through all this without going nuts is by not letting myself get too involved with the 'what if's and reminding myself to just BREATHE when I was feeling overwhelmed. Keep in mind that stress is bad for your health, so the less you manage to worry the better off you are.

Whishing you good health, and that you never have to worry about the CA-125!

Marianna

Hi Paula. I'm sorry about your situation. I want to know what my number is every time I get tested. My paperwork shows that normal is 0-35. My gyn told me that the CA125 test is unreliable unless the ovaries have been removed in most cases, thus the difficulty of early detection. A gyn/onc is the person you want to consult with. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Charlotte

Dear Paula,

You can get a copy of your lab work from the lab, or the doctor's nurse. Note the date of the ca125, your present condition, file it and forget about it.

I think you are doing an amazing job of staying on top of things; for one, you found an online group. The anxiety behind cancer predictors is immeasurably frightening. But that's what it is, Fear, that nasty, unproductive, state that robs us of our energy. So, turn the channel, engage yourself in a get well program, list the things you Can do, love and live the life you are in.

I admire your strength and wish you even more healing energy,

Peace and Love,
Paula2