Rises in Ca-125 levels within normal range

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zuke
zuke Member Posts: 5
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma, diagnosed Stage 1A, and had a radical hysterectomy, chemo, brachytherapy, an abdominal CT scan (in that order) between July and February of this year and last, and after all this treatment was given the all clear sign. But yesterday, going over my lab results, I noticed that my CA-125 levels went from 6 (on November 11, mid chemo), to 19 a week later, then to 15 on January 1, and then to 20 on January 16. I contacted my doctor's nurse and she said they had noticed it, but had noticed a similarly large bump in other patients as well and attributed it to a change in the way the lab does the tests. But of course I am kind of freaking out, as from what I have read, rises like this in CA-125, even within the normal limits, is a bad sign. Anybody else have any experience with this they could share with me? Thanks.

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  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #2
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    Me!

    I worried then, but know not not to take those CA125 too seriously.  I went from 42 at diagnoses to 8 after surgery, to 7 after round of chemo, to 15 after second.  After all the chemo and radiation, it went to 20(I needed another heart valve put in) then it settled down to a run between 15 to 18.  Anything causing you to be sick, I.E. a cold, sinus infection, ect.  being stressed, all that could cause a jump.  I went to a 30 and nearly lost my mind...come to find out, the lab values had changed, so it does happen.  I am UPSC 1a, also, but have been NED for over five years.  Try to breath, it's not always bad news!  Debra(Jo)

  • zuke
    zuke Member Posts: 5
    #3
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    debrajo said:

    Me!

    I worried then, but know not not to take those CA125 too seriously.  I went from 42 at diagnoses to 8 after surgery, to 7 after round of chemo, to 15 after second.  After all the chemo and radiation, it went to 20(I needed another heart valve put in) then it settled down to a run between 15 to 18.  Anything causing you to be sick, I.E. a cold, sinus infection, ect.  being stressed, all that could cause a jump.  I went to a 30 and nearly lost my mind...come to find out, the lab values had changed, so it does happen.  I am UPSC 1a, also, but have been NED for over five years.  Try to breath, it's not always bad news!  Debra(Jo)

    Thanks

    Really appreciate your comments.

  • brissance
    brissance Member Posts: 192
    #4
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    125

    Zuke, my Oncologist doesn't even order it...   he says the CA 125 is for ovarian cancer and causes undo stress and concern to his Uterine patients.  Don't know what I have or have had..  at best it is only an indicator.  Good luck to you...  Patty

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    #5
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    Hi, Zuke

    havent they done another test since January?  

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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    brissance said:

    125

    Zuke, my Oncologist doesn't even order it...   he says the CA 125 is for ovarian cancer and causes undo stress and concern to his Uterine patients.  Don't know what I have or have had..  at best it is only an indicator.  Good luck to you...  Patty

    My doctor doesn't order the test either.

    I had one CA 125 test when diagnosed, it was 83, then one after my first chemo, it was 7.  When I finished chemo, my doctor said he doesn't do scans and he doesn't do blood work unless he has reason to believe something is happening.  He just follow symptoms.  When I told him I didn't present a lot of symptoms with the first diagnosis, he said he would know from the exams before I would.  However, he also is not doing a real through exam, so I don't know how he's going to know if it has traveled.  I just won't worry about it, he has said many times he knows many doctors do scans and he doesn't think they necessarily pick up the cancer much sooner than showing symptoms.  And he has been a gyno/onc for 36 years so I guess he would change if he's losing all his patients!

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,369 Member
    #7
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    zuke, my office has right on

    zuke, my office has right on the card they send out that anything under 35 is normal.  The office usually uses a red pen underline 'normal'.  It also is not always a good indicator of cancer or recurrence.  A cold, slight infection, can cause it to rise.  I think one other woman here wrote the she is tested for HE4, in fact, here is the link to the thread:

    http://csn.cancer.org/node/302682

  • zuke
    zuke Member Posts: 5
    #8
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    ConnieSW said:

    Hi, Zuke

    havent they done another test since January?  

    No they haven't. And that

    No they haven't. And that seems to be because they don't know what my levels were prior to my hysterectomy. I changed doctor's and hospitals and I'm having difficulty getting the lab results.

  • zuke
    zuke Member Posts: 5
    #9
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    Thank you

    I'd like to thank everyone who replied to my post. Indeed, they had changed the assay the used in testing which accounted apparently for the big bump in numbers. It is now 17.1, so altogether does not represent a significant rise overall. I appreciate all the information and assurances that all you gals extended to me and hope I can one day do the same. Thanks a lot.

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