CA 125 high 3 weeks after optimal Surgery

[Elifebru]

hi ladies, wishing everyone a bright new week. I was diagnosed with stage 2A clear cell carcinoma. Had cytoreductive surgery with no visible disease left behind. Started paclitaxel-carboplatin chemo, took one dose already, 5 more to go. Question: my CA 125 pre surgery was around 60-80, 3 weeks after surgery CA 125 is 260. My oncologist says this is most likely due to internal healing of tissues and is temporary, but I still feel quite uneasy and wanted to ask if anyone had this CA 125 spike few weeks after surgery. Thank you, ebru

#surgery #ca125

[NotThatGirl]

Yes, I did. My CA-125 at diagnosis was in the 50s and it spiked post surgery, which isn’t uncommon. It dropped to normal range after my second chemo several weeks later.

I’ve been in remission since then (~2 years). Stage 1A endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

[Elifebru in reply to NotThatGirl]

thank you for sharing, Definitely helped. Wishing you endless years of remission 🙏🏼

[NotThatGirl in reply to Elifebru]

Thank you, and same to you!

[delia2]

I had but on a much lower scale. My CA 125 is not a marker for my cancer. It’s always 5 or 6, including at diagnosis and recurrence. However after surgery it was 20 which is astronomical for me. It came down again over time.

[Hidden]

HeyI'm clear cell too, 1c had debulking 5 months ago and have my last chemo this thursday. CA125 levels are known to be irratic after surgery so my consultant didnt even give me my blood test results.

My level has gone from 38 to 10. My daughter has endometriosis and her CA125 level is 89 but no cancer anywhere.

Glad to hear you've had your op and chemo has started. I suffer from terrible anxiety so totally sympathise with your worries.

If you need a chat please drop me a message. Xxx

[Elifebru in reply to Hidden]

I got so emotional reading your message . So nice to have people go through similar experiences. Thank you so much. This is reassuring. So so thankful

[lesleysage]

Hi, I'm also clear cell (or 'was' as sec ondary surgery for the recurrence in 2013 was able to remove every cell) and my pre-CA125 of 45 went to 265 afterwards and gradually lowered to a steady 7-10 by 2015.

However, after bowel surgery two years ago in June 2021, the CA125 tested at 16 in the first blood test at 6 months, due to the internal inflammation of the tissues; it has now returned to 8.

So, I am hoping this adds to everyone elses' reassurance and all steadies down for you too. Take care and keep being kind to yourself. Warmest wishes x

[Elifebru in reply to lesleysage]

we almost have the same CA 125 levels pre operative and also post surgery. I am so pleased you are clear to this day after second surgery. So reassuring to read your message. I thank you from the bottom of my heart 💜

[Hidden in reply to lesleysage]

Definitely reassured me thank you so much xx

[Carpediem68]

hi there

I had upfront surgery so slightly different as my ca125 was 1400 before surgery. It was still 333 several weeks after surgery and then went down to 87 before starting chemo six weeks after surgery. My oncologist said there is a lot of inflammation after surgery which will increase or keep ca125 high for quite some time after surgery. I had a small infection in scar too which probably contributed. Good luck x