CA125 is a marker in my cancer- what will it measure?

Mine was 600 pre surgery, went down rapidly to 6 afterwards and during chemo, and has stayed there. Will it rise if, for example, I was to develop a different cancer? I can't get ovarian again as I have no ovaries!!

[PatsyH]

I'm afraid you CAN get ovarian cancer again despite having had your ovaries removed. I too thought that after chemo and a total hysterectomy I could not get it again. But the fact is that if a few rogue cells have survived the treatment they can migrate, take up residence somewhere else and then lie low until they decide to make their presence known, still as ovarian cancer. Evil little blighters and I am now on my third bout of chemo over a seven year period. But it sounds as if your treatment has worked very effectively and I'm sure you will have regular check-ups to measure your CAl25 level (a protein marker) which indicates whether or not ovarian cancer is present again. With any luck it wont be, but if it does re-appear then at least you will be treated as soon as possible. Best of luck.

PatsyH

[Hidden]

Thanks for that, Patsy. Sorry to hear you've had recurrences. I hope this bout of chemo sees it off for you!

I thought that cancers were named by where they occur, but what you say makes sense, and I suppose a recurrence is a metastasis of o/v in a different location. My Oncologist gets v frustrated when I am not called for regular follow ups by the hospital admin as he says he 'needs to see his ovarian ladies regularly'. I am careful to nudge for appointments now, although there's a big bit of me that just wants to walk away and ignore the whole thing! I'm sure you feel that much more than me sometimes.

Very, very best wishes,

Isadora.

[PatsyH in reply to Hidden]

Hallo again Isadora

I dont think you SHOULD have to chase for follow-up appointments so perhaps your oncologist should be a bit more insistent that admin keeps on the ball. Even during the times I've been in remission I was checked every three and sometimes two months and then given another CT scan when my CA125 had risen, even when only a little bit. So although I know the cancer is lurking I always feel confident that my oncologist is keeping a very close eye on me and is always ready to get things springing into action when needs must. So I try to not dwell on the illness. I rarely actually feel ill, so keep on making the most of life and my great family and plan to keep doing so for a long while yet.

From where I stand the NHS and my hospital - the QEQM in Margate and their Viking cancer unit - is second to none and I cant thank them enough for all the care I am given.

So you keep on nudging if you have to and with any luck you may actually be able to walk away from it all eventually.

All the very best

Patsy

[wendydee]

Mine was 545 pre-op and has been between 10 and 16 since, eight years now. I was worried that my yearly checks would be stopped when I got past the 5-year mark, but my specialist nurse is brilliant and sends me a blood test form every anniversary of my diagnosis, I do email her to ask for it though. I then email her secretary for my results but can ask for a follow-up appointment if I have any worries. It's brilliant service, I think. Maybe you can have a word with your specialist nurse and say you have info about a hospital that got a good rating in their gynae/oncology dept in peer review last year. It's an example of good practice! I always say a "thank you" prayer when I have another confirmation of a low CA125! Also a "thank you" to my specialist nurse, Emma!