Raised CA-125 - transvaginal or normal ultrasound?

[tiredBFmum]

Hi

I had an NHS GP referred transvaginal ultrasound for pelvic pain and bowel pain - they said scan completely normal and ovaries look normal.

However, I have since had a slightly raised CA-125 of 48 (norm up to 35).

Does an ultrasound need to be repeated where they specifically check for ovarian cancer? Is the ovarian cancer ultrasound an abdominal one or a vaginal one? I had transvaginal..... Would they have checked for cancer even though when I had the scan I didnt have the result of my raised CA-125? (I did the CA-125 privately as part of a medichecks wellwoman blood test)

I can't get a GP appointment till the week after next.

My ALT liver function result was elevated and my cortisol was low so I feel like something is wrong with three blood tests out of range.

Any advice appreciated please. thanks.

[Seasun36-uk]

Hi. Ultrasounds unfortunately don’t always pick things up. I had an abdominal USS initially, but I wished she’d done a transvaginal one as well. The Radiographer couldn’t see the ‘origin’ of the 9x12cm mass she saw! Only with a CT scan was it clearly seen. Ring your GP again - see if there are any cancellations/on the day appointments. Lx

[Lily-Anne]

Based on hindsight I would ask for a repeat of bloods and scan in 3 months time. That will give anything going on a chance to settle or progress. My hospital started using 30 as the cut off in 2013 and many others do too. It was 35 before that and I fell in the normal range. I did however have a cyst on my ovary.

Yours sounds all good to me but worth some caution

LA xx

[Tesla_7US]

tired, ultrasound cannot detect OC!!! I had both abdominal US and TV ultrasound and was told I was fine!!!! I was diagnosed months later in the ER with advanced metastatic stage 3C OC!!! The best way to detect OC is via PET/CT scan! Demand one!!!

[Numi]

I had abdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds and both were normal and only a CT scan showed my cancer with turned out to be extensive stage 3c, so ultrasound doesn't always pick up OC. My CA125 was 149 before the ultrasound. Discuss your concerns with your GP and get them to repeat the blood test - other infections can also raise CA125, but if it's increasing, the. That should be a red flag. All the best and I hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

[ellseybellsey]

I had ultrasound and was told they could see a lot of fluid but the ovaries looked normal, I was then sent for ct scan and it showed up on lots of areas.

This time around I have had a ct, and also a pet scan.

Ellsey xx

[Margiedolly]

Hi! I've had more success locating tumors of ovarian cancer with a PET/CT scan. They combined scan really exposed tumors even if they are small. The transvaginal ultrasound seemed to pick up vascularizations supplying the tumors better than the actual tumors. Best wishes! Slightly elevated CA125 can also be caused by a swollen liver or other abdominal organ.

[Saleh123]

Have a CT and another Ca125 to see the progress . It would put your mind at ease. Ultrasound could not detect the 7cm mass on my wife.