CA 125 blood test.

[siskin]

After an abdominal exam. by GP. I had a CA125 blood test which showed 105 so was sent for an external and vaginal ultrasound and was told all o.k. My GP says only need to repeat CA125 every 6 months. That seems to me to be a long time but he is adament. Please what is the experience and advice of people on this site.

[Hidden]

Hi,

ca125 over 35 is considered 'raised'. There are several reasons (including normal periods) that can cause ca125 to be raised, and it's not a good cancer marker in everybody. I think your GP is reassured by the ultrasound, but if you are still worried go back and insist that you are still concerned. The blood test is not expensive, so there should be no reason why it can not be repeated monthly.

Do have a look at the symptoms on the ovacome site to see if you're experiencing ov. ca. symptoms - although I had none!! If you are v concerned, ask for a gynaecology referral, and say what you suspect as it should make you a higher priority.

Good luck

Isadora.

[bosue]

Hi siskin, I've had two major ops and chemo after the ops my ca125 went down to 12 then began to rise hence 2nd op and chemo my ca 125 is now around 48 and have been told this can be a red herring and not to take any notice of it as "its only numbers" must admit it does conern me, another test next week, but you can have three tests on one day and they will all be different, but as Isadora said if you are worried go back to your gp. good luck sue x

[Hidden]

Hi Siskin,

You don't say why you went to the doctor and had a blood test. As Isadora says, check out the sympton guide on the main site, and if you are worried ask for further checks. If it was something different that led to the CA125 test, I should feel reassured that at least the GP was monitoring it, not ignoring it.

Good luck

Viv

[michelle2]

Hi

I understand your concern and from my personal experience I would push for the scans as I had grade 1a followed by full hysterectomy and chemo and was assured that it was highly unlikely it would return. Only to be monitored every 6 months with blood tests and my ca125 was 18. I was complaining of what I thought was a hernia and had an ultrasound which didn't show anything so I thought all ok. However I continued to have pain so pushed for a MRI and lo and behold have just been told have stage 3 so more chemo for me. I really wouldn't rely on the ca125 marker only. If you have any doubt at all push your GPbut I agree. Look at the symptoms on this site and don't just worry about a number. Good luck and try not to worry

[MargaretJ]

Hi Siskin,

Like the others I suggest you check out the symptoms. I had no pain just got bloated and had a lot of flatulence and ignored it as a symptom of advancing age until, suddenly, I couldn't eat! I never had ultrasound, went straight to CT scan after a sigmoidoscopy to check for colon cancer. Diagnosed stage 3c with CA125 of 11,000. It was 6 after chemo and debulking but back up to 200 within a year due to a new tumour. CA125 is a good marker for me but not for everyone but even so they check with CT scans and an MRI to check the back ache, turned out to be a couple of old, partially prolapsed, discs!

Do go back to your GP and ask for more frequent tests if you are worried, ultrasound seems to be very unreliable from what i read on this site!

Good luck

Margaret

[Hidden]

Dear Siskin

I'm sorry you've had a tough time. You must be worried. As others have said the CO125 test doesn't necessarily indicate the presence of Ovarian Cancer. I was also told that ultrasound CAT scans can only show a tumour of more than 1 cm so it seems even that isn't really going to answer your question.

Like Margaret I had no other symptoms than flatulence and then an unaccustomed loss of appetite. It was the second of these that prompted me to see my GP. I thought I must have been unique before reading Margaret's reply to you as flatulence doesn't ever seem to be listed as a common symptom of Ovarian Cancer.

One thing my Oncologist said to me is that a feeling of general well-being is a good indication that all is well. As I feel fit as a fiddle I'm assuming the tumours are taking a much hoped-for little break.

Keep vigilent, check for any symptoms that make you feel something isn't right, and if necessary go back to your GP - particularly if you have any pain or bloating.

It all sounds very hopeful to me so above all enjoy life!

Loads of love xx Annie

[BusyLizzie]

Hi Siskin,

Unless he can explain your raised CA125, I would retest in 4-8 weeks. If there is a trend upward, I would create a stink and make sure you understand what a vaginal ultrasound does and does not show and get a second opinion.

Love Lizzie

X

[Hidden]

Hello,

A lot depends on what age you are. Under 35 is normal for post menopausal women, but I have read that before the menopause levels up to 200 can be considered normal. There are all sorts of conditions that cause CA125 to rise, such as endometriosis, fibroids, any kind of pelvic inflammation, etc..

As Lizzie says, it's the trend that's important. I wonder if a test taken at another point in your menstrual cycle (if you have one) would give a different result?

Please call the nurses at the Ovacome help line for more info. 0845 371 0554.

I hope there's a benign explanation.

[siskin]

Thank you all for the caring replies. I can't answer each individually but the salient points I will reply to here. I am an oldy 74 in June. Initialialy I went to GP with pain in the groin area which extended in to the appendix area. As I was only 15 when I had my appendix removed I have a huge scar in that area unlike to-days neat ops.

I have had fibroids removed twice in the past so I can see that may be a reason.

I do get bloating and backache, no explanation for the bloating but x ray shows osteoarthritis in the spine. The groin pain can be an indicator of hip arthritis which has now also been confirmed.

Your reassurances have really been appreciated as I was worried because I understand the concept of false +/- results.

My brother had a high PSA only 2 over the range and it was ignored, then he became ill and has had to undergo radiation therapy which was o.k. for a short while but prostate cancer re-occurred in bones and he has his 9th chemo next Weds.

Will keep the Ovacome helpline no. in my book.

So thank you all again.

[TinaWright]

Hi Siskin,

I haven`t the time today to read all the other reply`s so please bare with me if I go repeating anything that somneone else has already mentioned.

Firstly your CA125 is raised but this can mean many things, Thie tests the protein levels in our blood, protein can rise for all sorts of other reasons, a cold or chest infection can make it rise as many other everyday things can do.

I think your GP acted quickly by sending you for a ultrasound scan. Sometimes scans don`t pick up things clearly and a CT scan is needed to confirm any findings.

In reference to the repeat CA125 blood test being schedualed for 6 months, I would say that is a fare period of time unless in the menatime you notice any changes in your body or new symptoms or worsening of the ones that took you to see your GP origionally. Then of course I would rush straight back to your GP without delay or speak to your consultants secretary.

After cancer and after chemotherapy we only have a CA125 blood test 12 weekly for the first year then it is dropped to 6 monthly.

If you are worried talk to your GP about 12 weekly blood tests - its even worth paying for them, I know I would do.

Best of luck, I`m sure our comments will be helpful to you - all the best Siskin, let us know how things go.

[siskin in reply to TinaWright]

Thank you Tina. I have RA and rheumy dr. will do routine blood tests when I see her in April. Will ask her to include CA125. This will be a shorter time than GP wanted to do it. Will keep in thouch and let you know how I get on.