CA125 on the Increase

[Kouyate]

Hi everyone, went for my usual 4 monthly checkup yesterday and after 4 years of remission my CA125 has gone up for the 3rd time in a row. It usually hovers around 10-12 but 3 check ups ago it went upto 15, next check upto 19 and this check up 24. No other symptoms other than a bit of constipation now and then altho my consultant said that with lockdown and people being so inactive that laxative sales are thru the roof! She decided to book me in for a scan anyway but says she doesn't expect to see anything even if the cancer is back because we wont c it on a scan yet. Was just wondering if anyone has had steady increases like this that turned out to be nothing plz x

[Davonian]

My ca125 has been steadily increasing since last year from 8 to 140 in March. My constipation has got worse and I'm now reliant on laxatives daily. Recent ct scan of this month didn't show anything drastic and bowel clear. A nodule previously found near spleen grown from 6mm to 9mm. Consultant says scan was "pretty good." Been put on a watch and wait for 3 months. Seems we have a similar progression.

[vipervictoria]

Hi,

I have been in a similar situation several times since I was diagnosed with OC stage 3c serous in 2009.

As yet I have not had a recurrence and a CT scan last year was free. My consultant tells me that the typical pattern of a recurrence is for your CA125 to double, and then increase markedly.

The problem is that because CA125 is a non specific test, women's results and the cause of their results varies markedly. For some women, CA125 is pretty useless as a marker, because they have something like IBS or rheumatoid arthritis, which affects CA125 also.

I'd say as far as I know - I'm obviously not an oncologist - your slow, gradual increase is nothing to worry about, but I know, like me, you will worry.

All I can suggest is that you try to stay calm and do restful peaceful things until your scan. Stress alone can cause CA125 to increase.

Good luck and best wishes,

VV xxx

[Kouyate in reply to vipervictoria]

Hi vipervictoria, that's reassuring to know, and having given all of this some thought over the weekend about my last 3 blood tests, the first one when it went upto 15 me and my partner had been arguing and he was sleeping on the sofa in strop lol, when my 2nd blood test had gone upto 19 i'd had my flu job 2 weeks before the blood test, and then this time I'd had my first Covid Jab 3 weeks before the blood test, so i'm hoping that they are all potential reasons why it's been affected. Trying to stay positive tho but as you say it's hard ❤️