CA125, can it fluctuate up and down!!!! - My Ovacome

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CA125, can it fluctuate up and down!!!!

michelle2 profile image
11 Replies

CA125 gone up from 13 - 15, normally stays around 13. Currently in remission. My CA125 is not a good indicator of disease, as when I had cancer it was only ever 17-18...

worried... Anyone know whether it can fluctuate without being a sign of its return.

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michelle2 profile image
michelle2
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11 Replies

A fluctuation of 2 points is really nothing, and as likely to be due to how the test was carried out as to any difference in your actual level. Under 35 is deemed normal, and it can go into the thousands. As it was not an indicator of your disease, I would think it irrelevant, but you might ask Ruth at Ovacome for reassurance.

Best wishes,

Isadora

michelle2 profile image
michelle2

Thank you Isadora, just a bit worried as my indicator wasn't a reliable source when I was diagnosed and only showed 17-18.

Hi Michelle2,

It can fluctuate without there being a recurrence, even having an infection that is unrelated to cancer can make it fluctuate, but to put your mind at rest you could give Ovacome helpline a ring and speak to Ruth Payne tel 0845 371 0554 as they are only open office hours and the weekend is coming up, you could ring her today so you won't be worrying over the weekend.

best wishes love x G x

michelle2 profile image
michelle2

Thanks Gwyn wishing you well too x

Just adding another: yes it definitely can, mine was been up and down in that normal zone throughout the last phase of treatment, onc dismisses it as normal. Its an inflammation marker, and we get changes in the amount of that around our bodies in normal circumstances. Spikes or clear upward trends are a different matter and i am sure that those they would investigate.

Love

Sue xxx

fluffycloud profile image
fluffycloud

I cannot submit a question in the usual way and was wondering what ia am doing wrong, i write the question in the box and press submit and this does not happen help please, i think i have chemo brain bad.

Love Pam x

in reply tofluffycloud

Hi Pam,

It could be a problem with HealthUnlocked, as sometimes this happens when I write a blog, sometime it just won't publish, sometimes when I try to post a comment it comes up with that dreaded oops! Error notice. it does mean that if you keep trying it will eventually get posted (a bit frustrating) you could send a message to HealthUnlocked then they might be able to do something their end, I have sent a message to them in the past and the are very good in explaining what has gone wrong, another option is you could ask your question on the blog thread it might get posted on there (if you haven't tried that already) best wishes love x G x :-)

TinaWright profile image
TinaWright

Hi Michelle,

Oh dear, this is such an individual thing. In my case mine will fluctuate between 14 and 8 but I am not at all worried about that, even if you are a bot run down it can go up a couple of notches.

When I had my cancer my CA 125 rose to in the thousands so for me this is an ecellent marker, however for you I don`t think it is at all. And this is why some oncologist won`t offer it to ladies, This is obviously causing you a lot of anxiety.

I really don`t think this is a good marker for you at all - talk to one of the oncologist nurses, you should have one who you can call upon and phone in times of worry, please do this because she will be able to put your mind at rest. Remember this is their job they are paid to be there for us, all in the line of duty to them and no worry is too small to ask the question.

Good luck I so hope all is well and continues to go that way for you, lots of love from Tina xxx

Orsolini profile image
Orsolini

Dear Michelle - I dont know if it will provide reassurance by last month I had a CA125 on consecutive days for various reasons and the first result was 40,5 and the next day it was 46. So I would say YES it can definitely fluctuate. I am in the middle of recurrence hence I fear this will not provide reassurance but I thought it was interesting all the same, such a difference in a test done a day apart. Can you not get another test at your GP or get your contact nurse at the hospital to do you a blood test form?

Our cases seem quite similar, my CA125 never goes very high (though higher of yours of course) and I think I am now about to be offered the same 2nd treatment as you. Hoping it works.

Best Wishes

Nicola x

michelle2 profile image
michelle2

Thank you ladies for your support, feeling a bit calmer today. Just nerves slightly wracked on Friday, as I also reacted to the steriods going in the portacath, so probably feeling a bit tender. I'm calmer now. Thanks for your support.

Tesla_7US profile image
Tesla_7US

Yes, it fluctuates, even within normal range. Just finished taking antibiotics for UTI, had new bloods and found antibiotics drove CA down by 60%! An infection of any kind can make your CA rise. Tesla

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