Upset over Ca125 numbers

clamryn
clamryn Member Posts: 508
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Just went for my 7th doxil treatment and had asked about my CA125. He doesn't offer to tell me unless I ask. I think he doesn't want me dwelling on it. My number was 28 and now it is 30. He says it is in the normal range. The lab I go to has a higher normal range. I think it goes to 34. But this still worries me. I will be going for another treatment on August 17th. And then for a CTScan.
For years my CA125 was 8, 10, 12. I am just worried that this is not normal for me. Very scarry.

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    My oncologist considers mid-40's my 'new normal' CA125.
    My CA125 after my 1st treatment regime was 11 and stayed that low until I had my 1st recurrence. Now that I have recurred I have acheived remission twice (with a NED CT/PET scan) with a CA125 in the mid-40's, and that is the "new normal" number we look for before doing imaging to see if I can again safely take a break from treatments. (My CA125 on Monday was 83, so I know I'll probably stay in chemo the rest of the summer, but it is steadily dropping from its high of 130.) My oncologist said that, with inflammation in the peritoneal area, a CA125 can be slightly elevated and it does not mean cancer progression. The lab used here considers anything under 35 as 'normal'. I would be THRILLED to have a CA125 of 30! But try not to stress. Like I said, I had a CA-125 that just hung there in the mid-40's twice, and my CT/PET scans at those times came up No Evidence of Disease. (((hugs))).
  • cancer survivor x 4
    cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
    CA-125
    Good Morning,
    if it is any comfort to you. I have a friend who was dx'ed stage 3c in April of 2009. Her CA-125 is always between 26 and 38. She has had several pet/ct scans and nothing ever shows up. Now my CA-125 has been stuck at 6 for 6 monthes. They still want to give me a scan. I think I will bypass the scan this time. I see no reason for it. Thank-You, Paula
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    Doxil
    Doxil can make the ca125 jump. My doctor once told me, when I was fretting about numbers, that a 2point difference is like the same number.

    Good luck. I know it is easier said then done but try not to worry!
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    nancy591 said:

    Doxil
    Doxil can make the ca125 jump. My doctor once told me, when I was fretting about numbers, that a 2point difference is like the same number.

    Good luck. I know it is easier said then done but try not to worry!

    Doxil
    Nancy,

    Doxil can make the ca go up? I did not know that. Mine was 360 last week, so we will see what happens next time they take it. Don't know when I get blood work, etc. this time since it is a clinical trial and they have their own protocol.

    Love,
    Libby
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    LPack said:

    Doxil
    Nancy,

    Doxil can make the ca go up? I did not know that. Mine was 360 last week, so we will see what happens next time they take it. Don't know when I get blood work, etc. this time since it is a clinical trial and they have their own protocol.

    Love,
    Libby

    oh, yes!
    Libby,

    Being the veteran that you are I thought you knew! oh, YES! Doxil can make your number jumped. My doubled after my first infusion. Do thread search on Doxil and find the previous discussions. My oncologist and my surgeon both told me this. They also said it can take awhile for Doxil to work. I had 5 infusions before moving on to Gemzar.
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    nancy591 said:

    oh, yes!
    Libby,

    Being the veteran that you are I thought you knew! oh, YES! Doxil can make your number jumped. My doubled after my first infusion. Do thread search on Doxil and find the previous discussions. My oncologist and my surgeon both told me this. They also said it can take awhile for Doxil to work. I had 5 infusions before moving on to Gemzar.


    Nancy,

    It is amazing how they flip us all around on these different chemos!! Wow! Hope mine does not double, I may pass out!!

    Thanks for info.

  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    LPack said:


    Nancy,

    It is amazing how they flip us all around on these different chemos!! Wow! Hope mine does not double, I may pass out!!

    Thanks for info.

    Thank you
    Thank you all for the info. I get so upset and then I try to put it in the back of my mind and try to forget it. All of you are so supportive. I can't thank you enough for your input.
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    clamryn said:

    Thank you
    Thank you all for the info. I get so upset and then I try to put it in the back of my mind and try to forget it. All of you are so supportive. I can't thank you enough for your input.

    It wil be ok
    Try not to worry, it will be ok