ORIGINAL CA-125 WAS 5200 - Dropped by 200 after first round of chemo

Of the posts I have read, my
Of the posts I have read, my CA125 was one of the highest. It was 4000 pre-surgery. After surgery, but before chemo started, it had dropped to 2200. I had lots of complications and began my chemo with an open (re-opened) incision. My CA125 actually went UP after my first round - to 2400. After the second round, it fell to 245; after the third, it was 54, and after the 4th treatment it was 37. My last CA125 was 19 and I still have one treatment to go.

My doctor says they look for a trend - several consecutive test results that either go up, or down. Any drop is good news. There are, however, lots of things that can send the number up, as well. Any infection, for example - even a bad cold.

Do you know the stage of your mom's cancer? What chemo drug(s) is she getting? I had Carboplatin and Taxol, every three weeks.

dropping ca125
My presurgery ca125 was 720. My post surgery ca125 was 70. I don't remember each drop but my ending ca125 was at 7. I think my doctors like to see the final number under 10. I do remember the excitement of watching that number fall! Good luck to you and your Mom.

tracybdppc said:

CA-125
I hope that you got a great report today! Thanks for your encouraging words.

Hi Tracy
The doctor said the CA125 was not in yet but was able to say the my scan shows signs that the cancer cells within my abdomen (peritoneum) have reduced the thickening. Which means the chemo is doing its job!! I still have some fluid in my right lung and lower pelvic area & he is confident that the remaining chemo will address that and eventually the fluid will drain away.

When I was at the hospital, it all made me realise that this thing is real cos when you are at home doing your normal stuff, you kinda switch off and forget for a little while. Going back in to see the cancer doctor is scary as it makes it real again. So I am down today eventhough I had a good outcome. Try & figure that one cos I'm sure I can't.

Having a life threatening illness doesn't half mess with your head & gives you strange things to think about.

Keep your chin (and I will take my own advice)

Much love Tina

leesag said:

CA125
My CA125 at diagnosis was.....9824...nope not a typo, I think the 10 liters of fluid removed during surgery may have had something to do with the extreme elevation. I'm not asking about it again until after my first chemo treatment--in fact, I may never ask about it! My first thought on seeing that number on the lab slip was: "Holy Crap!" I was terrified. God Bless my husband who looked at me and said..."Just this once, could you at least have tried to be an underachiever?"


From what I've read here, I kind of expect my CA-125 results to be something like the little mini roller coasters you see in the kiddie amusement parks. A few peaks, a few valleys and an overall lowering through the course of the treatment, with NED waiting for me at the end of the ride!

I'm trying very hard to take this journey one step at a time, I'm learning that when I start thinking too far ahead of myself, all I do is create a situation for myself where I need to reach for Xanax. (I'm not always successful and the thought of chemo is truly scary for me) but I really do try to not worry or make predictions about those things that aren't in my control.


By the way..your first sentence which included the words "in 29 years" gives me great hope for all of us! Your mom is truly a teal champion! I will keep you all in my prayers!

Hi Leesa
I am sorry your CA 125 so high but it is not the highest I have ever heard of - I think one of the ladies on here was over 14,000. However, please take heed and let the doctors tell you how much it comes down after each chemo. IT WILL COME DOWN. Don't give up as the chemo is designed to kill off the cancer cells or reduce a tumor which in turn will bring down the CA 125. If you can't face it to hear what the doctors tell you, have them write it down for you to read later. Trust me - as the CA125 begins to come down so you will begin to have HOPE and that will give you extra resolve to keep on fighting this beast.

Much love and luck Tina xxxx

leesag said:

CA125
My CA125 at diagnosis was.....9824...nope not a typo, I think the 10 liters of fluid removed during surgery may have had something to do with the extreme elevation. I'm not asking about it again until after my first chemo treatment--in fact, I may never ask about it! My first thought on seeing that number on the lab slip was: "Holy Crap!" I was terrified. God Bless my husband who looked at me and said..."Just this once, could you at least have tried to be an underachiever?"


From what I've read here, I kind of expect my CA-125 results to be something like the little mini roller coasters you see in the kiddie amusement parks. A few peaks, a few valleys and an overall lowering through the course of the treatment, with NED waiting for me at the end of the ride!

I'm trying very hard to take this journey one step at a time, I'm learning that when I start thinking too far ahead of myself, all I do is create a situation for myself where I need to reach for Xanax. (I'm not always successful and the thought of chemo is truly scary for me) but I really do try to not worry or make predictions about those things that aren't in my control.


By the way..your first sentence which included the words "in 29 years" gives me great hope for all of us! Your mom is truly a teal champion! I will keep you all in my prayers!

Leesa.....your husband is a
Leesa.....your husband is a riot! Great sense of perspective and humor - not there is truly any humor in a cancer diagnosis, but if you can't laugh at it, that just gives it more power.

I second the advice to ASK. You will be doing the happy dance once you see those numbers plummet. And they will.

I know the "holy crap" feeling. When I asked the nurse pre-op what mine was, she hesitated so long, it was obvious she didn't want to tell me. And mine was "only" 4,000 - a baby number compared to yours, but the highest I have ever heard of was 18,000, so take heart that you are not, in this case, a record-setter.

And you are right.....the ascites has a LOT to do with the number, as does any bowel/bladder involvement. Surgery alone cut my CA125 almost in half, even though I still had lots of issues. After three chemo sessions, it was 19. And it's still dropping.

Don't be scared of the chemo. I had a reaction to the first dose of Carboplatin, they stopped it for 45 minutes, then started it back up at a slower rate. Since then, each session has gotten easier. My only side effects have been fatigue and a very tiny bit of nausea, which was quickly curbed with meds. (Not counting the hair loss, of course. That is a given. Don't grieve for your hair; it will come back.)

Is your husband going to be with you during chemo? It's a great comfort to have someone there.

I'm a worrier by nature. And one of those people who just has to know what's going on, what the stats are, etc. I make myself crazy sometimes. Pass the Xanax, please.

Carlene

azgrandma said:

what is a normal no
what number is normal

I have never been told my no

Normal CA125 is 0-35.

Normal CA125 is 0-35.