CA125 readings

[bamboo89]

I know that not all ovarian cancers can be measured in terms of the CA125 - mine originally was 91, falling to 86 two weeks later, prior to diagnosis and surgery, despite having a tumour, two cancerous ovaries and lymph node. The hospital, though, is taking a reading every 3 months, so a few days after surgery it was 99 back in January. In March it was 22, and a week ago, it was 15. Initially, I thought that 15 was a cause for celebration, but actually, thinking about it, fell by 7 points when I actually had cancer...

Given I've not had treatment other than the surgery ( my choice) I'm very pleased it hasn't gone up, but I'm not sure how great a result this is, or how seriously to take it ... thoughts please?

[Lyndy]

I think it’s very hard to judge because each of us has a different normal. Incremental increase is seen as a sign of active disease but within the magic 35 people vary...my lowest was 17 and I stayed at 25 for a year before it started to climb. I would suggest that you ignore anything under 35 and generally try not to worry xx

[bamboo89 in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks - given I had the surgery back in January just so I could get spring and early summer feeling well and as normal as possible, I suppose I'd subconsciously anticipated it would start to reappear within six months. I counted on getting to maybe June if I was lucky without problems, and after that, all bets were off.... but it seems I'm going to get a bit longer before it takes over. Surprising... well, to me anyway.

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi. This sound like you are have good results yes we are all different and the 125 is not always a indication but 15 is good. my 125 is a good indication for me I've never been under 35 my history as soon as I stop chemo it goes up and my oncologist puts me treatment.

Try and except it as a good result I know it's easy to say, your 125 is in a good range and I hope it stay that way Take care Lorraine xx

[bamboo89 in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thanks Lorraine - I was a bit shocked, I expected it to have gone up, not dropped, given I refused any further treatment. Suppose I must stick to this diet I've created now, just in case that's doing something - giving up all dairy and only eating meat once a month, oily fish once a fortnight has certainly had a dramatic impact on my cholesterol, the ldl reading has halved, overall reading now down to 5.8 from 7.6 nine months ago. No coffee and walnut cake and large chunk of brie for me then, as the 125 hasn't gone up ... sigh... but I'm not complaining!

[ZenaJ]

Sorry can't really help you there. I have no idea what my original CA125 was but it's stayed at 7 or 8 for the last 4 years. I'll probably worry if it goes up to 12 where others have a higher CA125 and are fine. xx

[bamboo89 in reply to ZenaJ]

Weird how the 125 levels vary enormously between us all... I suppose its better to just think well at least it hasn't risen, and that's the best one can hope for, really, thanks for responding

[Lizchips]

Personally, if it was in ovaries and a lymph node I would do chemotherapy stomach wash ,international if it's available. Mine was in all female organs and 2 lymph nodes. My .ca has been btwn 5 and 8 since. I also do 3 other blood tests for cancer markers. I've been cancer free for four years. Without the chemo I truly believe I'd be gone by now. Ovarian cancer based on all my reading is one of the most deadly cancers. It's always your decision of course, but don't take it lightly. Best. Wishes what ever you do.❤❤Liz

[bamboo89 in reply to Lizchips]

Internal application of a chemo wash was and is not available where I was treated in London, no idea if anyone does that in the UK, don't think they do actually, from what I've read. I might have accepted that treatment, but I still don't want chemo otherwise. On the subject of my CA125, I've seen the letter to my GP now where its described as 'stable'. They apparently don't use other tumour marker tests, and certainly, the two the original gynaecologist used came back negative, so maybe that's why they don't bother with those. Thanks for your good wishes...

M

[Hidden in reply to bamboo89]

if you listen to the first of the consultants who spoke at the Ovacome members' day - Marcia Hall - available on their Youtube channel - she discusses IP chemo in a very nuanced way and you also get an idea of where it may be available.

[bamboo89 in reply to Hidden]

Bit late now though - isn't a chemo wash carried out during the surgical procedure?

[Hidden in reply to bamboo89]

Perhaps I misunderstood...I thought the discussion was about how and where chemo was administered. I've never heard of it being done as a wash alongside surgery for OC......

[bamboo89 in reply to Hidden]

In other countries, they do a chemo wash or flush after the surgery is complete, direct into the pelvic region, prior to stitching up. I don't know how successful it is as a treatment, though there are certainly some successes which might be attributable to that. I couldn't find anywhere doing it in the UK though.

[Hidden in reply to bamboo89]

you learn something every day on here!

[bamboo89 in reply to Hidden]

True - sadly, often stuff that we don't do here!

[Lizchips]

Chemo wash IP, is done as a first treatment of chemo they attach a port to your right rib, not done during surgery, it's supposed to distance reoccurring cancer 18 months to 3 yrs. For me I've been clean 4 yrs plus. Best wishes. Liz

[bamboo89 in reply to Lizchips]

Ah, so we're talking about different things - thanks for the clarification.

M