Ovarian Cancer Support Group

I think we ALL know never to take CA 125 for granted Janet...it isnt a clear cut blood test. However, it IS a good marker for a lot of us, in conjunction with scans etc.

Take it easy with your treatment, take care of YOU and know we are here with you.

Hugs
x

Welcome Janet. Did you have chemo prior to your surgery? What was our CA 125 prior to surgery? Good numbers for you after surgery! Sounds like your oncologists are treating you aggressively. Just keep the faith. Great things are happening with the treatments for ovarian cancer. There is great hope, but it's an insidious disease you have to keep fighting. Welcome to this wonderful group!
XOX
Susan Wales

I am new to this, I expect my blood tests soon. Could someone tell me what is considered bad, good, average for these numbers?

Welcome Catrice!

The amazing women on this site will be a tremendous help to you! They always seem to have answer, and they certainly compassion and are great encouragers! They really helped my mother get through her chemo, surgery, and recovery!

My mother's oncologist explained that a normal CA-125 is from 1-35; however after you have been treated for OVCA they like to see the numbers in the single digits. when they release you.

CA-125 can go up as high 10,000 or more. My mother's was 395 at the onset of her illness. She had 9 rounds of chemo first because she was too ill for surgery, due to ascites.

Following the first 9 chemo treatments, Mother's CA-125 had dropped to 88 and a CAT scan revealed that there was no sign of her tumor. Her oncologist then performed surgery and told us there was no evidence of cancer anywhere in her body.! Post op the CA-124 dropped to 44, and then after 9 more chemo treatments it was normal at 27!

With a "normal" Ca-125, we thought we were home free and that Mother would be dismissed since her recent CAT scan had also verified that she was STILL cancer free. We were shocked when her oncologist ordered 9 more chemo treatments. So shocked that we didn't ask questions, but he did tell us that since she was tolerating the surgery so well that he just wanted to ensure that the cancer would never return in her lifetime (Mother is 82.)

At the time we didn't ask anymore questions because we were so stunned, but we have since learned from several ladies on the site that the oncologists like to see the CA-125 in single digits before they stop the treatments, because it can rise after chemo.

Mother's oncologist did order a lower dose this round and she is doing extremely well with no side effects whatsoever. We are anxiously awaiting the next CA 125 test, because he did mention that he may stop at 6 rounds instead of completing the 9, but Mother has decided to tell him she will continue until she has completed the 9, if he recommends it since this has been much easier for her at the reduced dose.

The oncologist also mentioned something about a monthly maintenance treatment for a while . . . not sure how long, but we plan to ask this question at her next appointment.

Has anyone had monthly maintenance. If so, for how long?

I hope this helps. I have had so many wonderful ladies explain this to me in detail, and i wanted to pass on Mother's experience and what we have learned.

XOX

Susan Wales

The C125 is the tumour marker test for OC that we all watch. It isn't a diagnostic test on it's own. Normal, for some women, is between 1 and 15, though lately I hear that any thing up to 35 is now considered normal. There are a significant number of women, and it seems you are one of them, where it does not show a rise or fall with OC. and other women who might have a high CA125 and no cancer. For many of us it rises and falls along with the cancer and can show if treatment is being effective. It can indicate progression or regression of disease, which can be further investigated with a CT or MRI scan.

Wishing you the very best with the chemo.. having a wonderful team will ensure it all goes well. We are all here with you, with plenty of experience, friendship and support to share between us.. Hug to you.. Inka xxx

Thanks, I know that it is a marker for ovarian cancer, actually my doctor ordered another test called HE4. I don't have the results yet but wanted to be able to know what they meant, when I do get them (hopefully in the next day or so).

Good luck with the results of your tests Catrice. Let us all know how to get on.

Hugs
x

Looking at your post again, are you saying that your pre-surgery CA-125 was normal, yet you have Stage 3B?

This makes me worried. I am awaiting surgery a week from today, and my CA-125 level came in the normal range (23). My ovarian mass is so big and has grown so fast, I fear that it is bad news but I was heartened by the blood test, that maybe I don't have cancer or at least it could be at an early stage. Oh well I can't control anything now, I just have to hope for the best... as I do for you, as well.

Dear Cattrice:

Remember ovarian cancer is rare. You may just have a cyst since you have a "normal" CA-125. Many women have these cysts. They are fairly common. I pray that you will not have OVCA, but if you do there are plenty of new treatments that can offer you great hope!

Love,
XOX
Susan Wales