huge CA125 rise!!

avastin
i'm not sure but doesn't avastin make your ca numbers out of wack? i hope that is the case for you. hang in there !
Colleen

Hmmmm
Dearest Nancy,

No way. There has to be some mistake. I heard there were some major issues with the CA-125 tests last week. Perhaps that's involved. You also said once that the CA-125 was not a good test for you...perhaps that's involved as well. I would trust the CT scans. They are what indicates whats happening. If you show no progression, than there isn't progression. I think that's the most important. What does Dr. S say?

CT/Scan
Nancy, I know that had to be a blow to you. I think the CT/Scan would have shown something with such a big jump in the CA125.

Could they give you a PET/Scan and maybe that would have some answers? I agree that you are one of the ones that are always so supportive and give your honest opinion no matter what.

I am praying that the Avastin/Cytoxan is the remedy for you. BTW I still haven't started with the Avastin for me yet due to the shingles I still have. I had a CA125 draw the other day and I haven't gotten the results of it yet; however, my cancer had grown in two months and since I am not on anything right now... scares me to death.

Nancy, I am praying for you, your husband and those two little sweet boys.

Linda

nancy591 said:

testing
All ca125 testing was delayed due to reagent problems. My blood sample from 12/22 was stored to be tested when new reagents were available. I guess it is possible to have a giant leap. I didn't call the doc. I got the results online. Do you go online for lab access? I DO have an increase in bowel symptoms. When I was tested I was having LOTS of diarrhea for several weeks which was a common drug reaction. Either way, I can try to rationalize it but a jump is a jump. I think they did take anothe sample on Friday, the day I started my new treatment. I don't see that marker posted yet.

I am Praying
Dear Nancy,

Perhaps it's denial but I cannot believe it jumped so much...Please ask Dr. S what he thinks...we don't go on line to get results as we always want the doctor to be there for our panic attacks to tell us the reality. Ultimately it what the scans say..truly....I am praying praying praying that Avastin works for you. Are you going into the city for it, or are you going to Sleepy Hollow?

poopergirl14052 said:

Nancy,sounds like a mistake to me. Ask for a re-draw of ca-125. sometimes it is a fluke as my doc explained to me. Good luck stay strong.....val

Well this sure proves that 'misery does NOT love company'!
(((Nancy))). ARGH. We both sit here at the same time with our unexplainable CA125 jumps, and a series of failed chemos behind us, and my oncologist's words echo in my head : "That papillary serous is a nasty character." Misery does NOT love company, kiddo. I take NO comfort in having you in this leaky boat with me; although I feel close to you in part because our journeys are so aligned. But my heart sank at your news.

And so I must believe that we are both about to make course corrections that will get us out of this current mess. OR, as the others are saying, these crazy CA125 jumps are unrelated to cancer progression, errors or other inflammations.

I have another CA125 draw scheduled for Thursday; and a big heart-to-heart also scheduled with my chemo oncologist. If my platelets have recovered (it will be 5 weeks on Thursday since I had my last chemo!!) I hope I will be able to get a very weak dose of carboplatin to hold me while we figure out what to try next if my bone marrow won't let me get chemo. I had my last every-3-months CT/PET scan November 29th, and wonder if they will move up my scan in the hopes of figuring out what the CA125 increase is about. So you are still in a better position than I am because you are able to currently GET chemo. AND you have a recent CT/PET to reassure you that you aren't dealing with some big cancer progression. My oncologists ALWAYS trust scans over CA125 which they consider a fickle indicator. Keep that in mind and try not to worry too much over this. You have a scan you should trust more than the stupid CA125 number. ((((Nancy))))

How do you feel on the new chemo? I looked it up as an idea to suggest for myself on Thursday. It looks like a powerful combo, but you are young and strong and a fighter. Try not to let your mind run wild until you get a chance to talk with your oncologist about it.

Geez, is right. What a
Geez, is right. What a bloody drag. But the CT scan didn't show that much progression so I would take heart from that. Isn't surgery an option? I could be anything that made the number go up so high. You know how it goes with that number.. it's always hard to say. You could have a mild infection you aren't even aware of.

I was on Avastin/Taxotere and it worked great for me so take heart. Disease is back for me after only 2 months so don't know what's next. I too have run thru a lot of drugs.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

-Kate

nancy591 said:

thanks everyone
thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. My next chemo/ca125 is Jan. 28th.
Linda, I didn't have a PET/CT this time. I had a regular CT scan. That was the protocol for the trial. My onc told me a CT alone is more detailed then the CT portion of a PET/CT. Since the trial protocol required a CT, this is what I got. I am not going to push for a PET. I figure it is not going to change my chemo regimen so why stress myself out. My last PET was in October, I think. My most recent CT did show no new areas, no dilation of the colon, no suspicious bone lesion. So, I am thankful!!! But, I wouldn't exactly describe myself as being in a better position. Actually, I have more areas then you AND I am starting to have bowel issues. Either way you look at it, it sucks.

Yes, I always felt aligned with you as well. Mawty too. We were diagnosed and recurred about the same time. I wonder how she is doing!!!

Hoping your blood levels pick up for chemo on thursday.

Where in PA do you live? Near Scranton?

CA125 level?
Nancy,
What did he say about the jump up that was drawn on the 22nd and did you get the one from last Friday? I think I read your schedule right. That just doesn't sound right because there was not real change in your scan. You all are so really more informed about the stats and terms than I am but that seems odd. I was on on Avastin & daily Cytoxin for 6 treatments (still on Cytoxin). I had no side effects other than the high blood pressure and the last urine test showed a rise in the protine so my doctor stopped the Avastin and I have an appointment with Dr. S. at MSK on the 21st to see if there is a clinical trial that fits. If not, I will go on some other treatment. I am not in remission but the areas have had no change. I just hope the best for you and that these treatments that you are on now are easier for you than what you have been through.

Joni

nancy591 said:

GOOD LUCK
Did your cancer stay stable for the duration? Are you currently in remission? To view all the ovarian trials at MSKCC go to:

MSKCC.org, ovarian cancer, clinical trials. Let me know which one you are interested in. I did the one called Oral ENMD-2076 for women with recurrent plat resistant ovca.

I'm curious to see what he suggests. What treatments have you had thus far?

I didn't call the lab or doc about the ca125. What are they going to say? They must not have drawn one at my last visit. I will ask to have one drawn at my next infusion on Jan. 28th.

GOOD Luck!!

Not sure what trail he will suggest
My gyn/onc is sending me to him to see what trial he thinks would be good for me. My doctor will take a look at the suggestions and decide what would be best for me. Go with a trial or just stay on the garden veriety. I have had almost every combination of chemo via IV & IP (over 40 treatments in 5 years). I am not in remission but considered "stable" since there was no change in the 2 areas from a CT/PET in Aug 2010 and another in Dec 2010. My CA124 is always low so not a very good indicator for me. My doctor does not feel that there is any urgency to remove them and prefers to continue with just chemo for now. Scares the hell of me but I know he knows what he is doing. I have also had a lot of surgery (9) so if he can delay one, it's best for me. I suspect that he will be removing them if there is no change when I do another scan. The waiting between treatments really gets to me but we all go through it. I hope the new round of treatments are easy on you. It seems like you really need a break from all of this. Maybe we'll see each other on the 6th floor one day.

Joni