Can a CA125 go up 100 points IN A WEEK???

lindaprocopio
lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I had my CA125 drawn a week ago before what I hoped would be 2nd infusion of carboplatin and was thrilled that my CA125 went down from 298 to 238 after 1 round of carbo. But my platelets tanked so bad that I had to get a transfusion instead of getting my 2nd round of carbo. Yesterday I went back to try again for my chemo (still a "no go" as my platelets were still too low) and they drew a new CA125. I just got the results: 335!! How could my CA125 go up 100 points in a WEEK??! Is that really possible? Or is it more likely that the 60 point drop the week before was an error?

I am so frustrated that I cried when I hung up the phone after getting the news, and I almost NEVER cry about my cancer! I meet with my chemo-oncologist again on Wednesday (with more labs scheduled & even a 'treatment' scheduled, although I can't imagine he'll keep me on carbplatin if it's that hard on my platelets AND isn't working!!) I had my last CT/PET in November, so I'll be surprised if my insurance will pay for another one before February, although we've always done CT/PET before changing chemos in the past.

ARGH! Anyway, does anyone know if a 100 point leap in CA125 is even possible in a single week? & anyone know how hard Gemzar is on platelets? No chemo drugs seem to work on me anymore; that can't be good. :(

Comments

  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #2
    Linda
    Linda,

    I don't know all those answers to your questions, but I do remember my CA 125 jumped up from 99 to 199 when I had my recurrence in 2009 and that was within 2 weeks or maybe slightly less. I would have to go back and check.

    I was on Cisplatin/Gemzar last year and my platelets were always low and so was my white counts. I was unable to finish that regime.

    I am praying an error on the numbers for you anyways! Lifting you up in prayer as I type this.

    Love,
    Libby ☺
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
    possibly
    It is better then doubling!!! Frustrating, disappointing but not the end. Yes, it truly, truly stinks and I feel your pain. I haven't had my ca125 results due to lab reactor problems they said were nationwide. You probably need a good cry because I get the feeling you are a pillar of strength for everybody else.

    My second go round with carbo was hard on my counts as well. I had to delay infusions twice. Then I had the reaction on my 2nd (10th) infusion. While I continued on Gemzar alone I no longer had platelet problems. AND Gemzar held me stable for a total of 6 cycles. When I moved off Gemzar I had 'slight' progression but my ca125 tripled!!! I went from 43 to 124 in one month. I feel like nothing is working for me either. I started my 4th different since my recurrence last January. today I started Avastin and cytoxan

    {{{{{{LINDA}}}}}} You give the best cyber hugs and you surely deserve one yourself!!

    XOXOXOXO
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
    nancy591 said:

    possibly
    It is better then doubling!!! Frustrating, disappointing but not the end. Yes, it truly, truly stinks and I feel your pain. I haven't had my ca125 results due to lab reactor problems they said were nationwide. You probably need a good cry because I get the feeling you are a pillar of strength for everybody else.

    My second go round with carbo was hard on my counts as well. I had to delay infusions twice. Then I had the reaction on my 2nd (10th) infusion. While I continued on Gemzar alone I no longer had platelet problems. AND Gemzar held me stable for a total of 6 cycles. When I moved off Gemzar I had 'slight' progression but my ca125 tripled!!! I went from 43 to 124 in one month. I feel like nothing is working for me either. I started my 4th different since my recurrence last January. today I started Avastin and cytoxan

    {{{{{{LINDA}}}}}} You give the best cyber hugs and you surely deserve one yourself!!

    XOXOXOXO

    After my first round of
    After my first round of chemo my CA125 jumped 200 points, and that was in a 3 week period. So my guess would be yes, it's possible, though I hate like the devil to hear this. And it could be due to something you have picked up and arent't even aware of yet, especially with the low WBC.

    Will your doctor re-check it anytime soon? Although I was panic stricken, my doctor pooh-poohed the 200 point jump because at the time I was dealing with an incision that had had to be re-opened because it wasn't healing properly - no infection, however.

    Carlene
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #5
    ca125
    I just thought about this....my docs have not been able to do ANY ca125 testing because there is a nationwide problem with the reagents or reactors. I'm not sure what the actual term she used was. Is nobody else having ca125 problems? My doc told me the FDA is in even involved.
  • Cindy Bear
    Cindy Bear Member Posts: 569
    #6
    Linda, sorry to hear this
    Hi Linda. I am sorry I don't know the answer to this but knowing what I do know about the unpredictability of it all, I would say it's possible . Please hang in there and try to relax and enjoy the next few days. Hopefully on Wed. your doctor will have some sage advice and a new plan of attack. Right now, You feel good and that's great.. Hugs, Cindy
  • froggy1
    froggy1 Member Posts: 205
    #7
    nancy591 said:

    ca125
    I just thought about this....my docs have not been able to do ANY ca125 testing because there is a nationwide problem with the reagents or reactors. I'm not sure what the actual term she used was. Is nobody else having ca125 problems? My doc told me the FDA is in even involved.

    I wonder
    I had my CA125 drawn today. They do the testing at the hospital lab, as far as I know(same day results) The number was the same as last month, which didn't make me very happy. I wonder if they were using "bad stuff" to test it or they just gave me the same #.. ?????

    Ginny
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #8
    CA125
    (((((((LINDA)))))))) I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope you can get it re-tested soon and it is a mistake, or reflecting something else going on in your body.
    Prayers going your way!
    kathleen❤
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #9
    Dear Linda
    Sorry to hear about the jump in the CA-125, but with your counts so askew it could be that. I, too, have also heard they are having some difficulty with the tests; but Nancy 591 and my mother are treated at the same place. When the doctors were unsure of what path to take next with my mother, they performed a PET even though it wasn't in the protocol. The insurance did pay for it. The doctors coded it a certain way....you may want to ask about that. Prayers to you.
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #10
    I am deeply pained to hear
    I am deeply pained to hear this. My thoughts are with you. You have been on such a roller coaster. Susan
  • Christine B.
    Christine B. Member Posts: 137
    #11
    Linda,
    I have so often read and reread your posts and have been inspired by the joy you find in each day of your life. I pray that your CA125 will go down and your platelets will go up! I had my blood drawn today for chemo tomorrow. Praying that my platelets are back up from last week's postponement.
    Christine
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #12
    Must be a mistake
    Linda don't get upset yet. Also ask for a re-draw to see if it is a mistake. I think it is/ I pray you will be able to get chemo soon and your platlets will rise. this is a very frustratin illness we have the ups and downs we all go through.....stay strong.....val
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #13
    poopergirl14052 said:

    Must be a mistake
    Linda don't get upset yet. Also ask for a re-draw to see if it is a mistake. I think it is/ I pray you will be able to get chemo soon and your platlets will rise. this is a very frustratin illness we have the ups and downs we all go through.....stay strong.....val

    Linda
    Linda,
    I am so sorry about your CA125 test and low platelets. Perhaps the CA125 increase is a testing error, as with the mention of the nationwide issue with the testing agent. Perhaps that is what is causing the high number.

    I hope they will re-test the CA125 when the nationwide issue is resolved.

    I will be sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.

    Hugs,
    Cindy
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #14
    nancy591 said:

    ca125
    I just thought about this....my docs have not been able to do ANY ca125 testing because there is a nationwide problem with the reagents or reactors. I'm not sure what the actual term she used was. Is nobody else having ca125 problems? My doc told me the FDA is in even involved.

    CA 125 test problem
    Hi Nancy, I had the same problem at MSKCC. I had the CA125 test drawn in November and December and never got results. So, I called the nurse and advised her that if this was not going to be available then I would have my gyn/oncologist give me a script and would have it done at a local hospital. Needless to say, they didn't want that done and by the time january came about, CA results were posted. I know it's not a good tumor marker test but I still wanted to know, especially since my CA 125 rose while I was on Doxil.

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