My CA125 test makes me really nervous...

queenieb52
queenieb52 Member Posts: 48 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
i got my CA125 number today, this is the first since I started chemo, and it went way up-like from 488 to 1000. everyone keeps telling me things are going well, and my oncology nurse said the DR is not concerned at this juncture, But Hell...I AM!!! when he did the hysterectomy and took out the masses in my peritoneal cavity, he said he got 99.9% and the .1% the chemo would get. So now I've had 2 full treatments and apparently...what? This really really did not make my day. Everyone else talks of their numbers going down or maybe raising a point or 2. This scares me. Any good thoughts would be nice.thanks all. (((Hugs)) Beth

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  • queenieb52
    queenieb52 Member Posts: 48 Member
    unknown said:

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    No...no explanation
    Thanks Nancy for responding. No- they didn't have any explanation...my onc/nurse Paula said he is not overly concerned at this point, and I feel I have to believe in him. He has been absolutely wonderful, and he told me right from the start "we are going to get you right back to business"...he trained & worked @ one of the top cancer centers in the country (Roswell in NY) and he worked there. He is considered one of THE TOP Gyn/Onc in south Florida=very difficult to get into. And he saw me even though I had serious insurance issues at the beginning. With all this POSITIVENESS....I have to believe. But I see everyone else talking about the CA125 results, and I'll be honest....my heart has been in my throat all day. Because thats a big rise. So maybe it is just a fluke....I appreciate u taking the time to talk to me tho. I feel like such a baby...LOL. with warm thoughts...Beth
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    Could be something else
    Dearest Beth, I totally understand the stress these numbers cause but maybe just maybe there is more to the story and I would ask the doctor "why doesnt this concern you?" And tell him it has you freaking out!!!! I know for some people it takes the 3rd treatment to start responding.

    What chemos are you on? Sorry I don't remember and are you also getting IP therapy?

    I wish I had an answer or good some thoughts for you, but I do have prayers I can say and have said one already. Hugs Bonnie
  • queenieb52
    queenieb52 Member Posts: 48 Member
    BonnieR said:

    Could be something else
    Dearest Beth, I totally understand the stress these numbers cause but maybe just maybe there is more to the story and I would ask the doctor "why doesnt this concern you?" And tell him it has you freaking out!!!! I know for some people it takes the 3rd treatment to start responding.

    What chemos are you on? Sorry I don't remember and are you also getting IP therapy?

    I wish I had an answer or good some thoughts for you, but I do have prayers I can say and have said one already. Hugs Bonnie

    Thanks Bonnie...
    Thanks Bonnie for your kind words, prayers & support. I am so new to this & the unknowns are so scary....hell- what I KNOW scares me...LOL!!My 1st treatment was the Taxol Carboplatin on 7/8, then my 2nd was just 7/28-7/29 & had 3rd part today...and they were Taxol IV, Cisplatin IP & Taxol IP, respectively. So maybe...i don't know. Its just so disconserting when they tell you your bloodwork is awesome, and other than being tired more & generally cranky at times, I have not felt bad.I eat well- I have had no nausea (I"m seriously going to jinx myself!!) I just got the 'wind' up in my sails after ingesting all this...and it feels like its being knocked out again. I guess I may as well accept this is the nature of the beast. I do appreciate everyones advice & prayers here though... I don't go out to an actual support group. You guys have a been a lifeline for me. ((Hugs & Prayers)) to you to...Beth
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Logic
    My mind works logically and what I am thinking is that receiving chemo IP would naturally cause irritation.
    Irritation = inflammation and that causes the CA125 to go up. I am not a "know it all" but my logic works that way. There can be other reasons for the numbers to go up. Wait until the next test and see what it says. (((Hugs))) Saundra
  • bigragu714
    bigragu714 Member Posts: 4
    my understanding is the
    my understanding is the CA125 is not a great indicator of cancer. it is a warning that there could be a rise in cancer but it is very unreliable from what i have read. keep positive and if you have the port, you have the agressive chemo which is spraying the cancer cells directly and is supposedly much better than through the IV.