I’ve just had the results of my recent blood test, is gone up again to 59. So over four weeks my CA125 has gone from being stable at 19 to 53 then 50 and now it’s 59!
I have a scan booked for next Wednesday and I will see my consultant on Monday 2nd September.
I have been a lot more tired than I usually am and I do have some pain. However, I also have an incisional hernia that popped up about a month after my debulking. So it could be that the pain is from that couldn’t it.
I’m trying to stay positive but it’s so hard. I want it to be just a blip and not the starting of a reoccurrence. Surely the numbers would be so much higher if it had come back. It was 931 when I was first diagnosed and 59 now so surely it would be a lot higher if it had gone back, or am I clutching at straws.
Big hugs to all xx
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Tay100
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Hi Hopefully the scan will show if anything is going on. I do have to say I have had 2no recurrences and at no time did I have any pain so 'hopefully' the pain is from the hernia. Do let us know how you get on, thinking of you. Kathy xx
There are MANY reasons other than re currence that can raise CA125. Yours is elevated but appears to level off. FYI -both my recurrences my CA shot up exponentially at each testing!
Well before you get worried, remember that any sort of pain or infection or inflammation will bring those numbers up and in some people can be drastic for no reason other than inflammation. Me for 1. My muscles got really inflamed from the avastin and my numbers jumped up a hundred points but my tests didn't show anything through the scans. If you've had your body dealing with something else for sure that could be a very good reason your numbers are popping up. So just keep us posted. And I hope that it's just that.
Try not to worry, I realise that is easier said than done. Most Oncology teams go by CTscan results and not just CA125 they use that as a guide. Try to keep busy until your Oncology appointment and then go from there. Good luck 🤞
My Oncologist advised me that once you have had cancer they take your lowest point after treatment (1st Line). and double it. Once you go over this it could (note the ‘could) be indicative of a recurrence. I went down to10 initially, then over an 11 month period gradually went to 56. They then mainly go by symptoms. . In that case I had bloating, so underwent 2nd line treatment. I went down to 10 again, however I then jumped to 17, then 55, and then within two weeks 59. Today I have been told I have now jumped to 125, which is 6 weeks later. My recurrence in the first instance was 11.5 months, and in the latest 7.5. While I do not feel 100%, we have mutually agreed to wait until I have more visible symptoms, however I am on close watch. My appointments have moved to monthly. It is important with recurrences to delay treatment as long as possible, while closely managing to ensure you do not ‘tip over’. They do this by monitoring symptoms. This is the main tool used with recurrences. If you have treatment too soon, then the gaps become closer. The CA125 is only an indicator, and differs from person to person. I was extremely ill at diagnosis with a reading of 700, while others on this site are in the thousands. All of my other blood results are fine, so it us only a couple of small tumours in the peritoneum and omentum which are causing the issue. Kind Regards Therese
I agree with all the others, I hope you are managing to get some sleep and the pain is from the hernia. We are all thinking of you and sending positive vibes and good wishes so please let us know how you get on.
I am in slight disagreement with some of the others.
My Oncologist doesn’t wait for symptoms, but goes by what the scan reveals.
The scan, in my case, is always triggered by a steady rise in my CA-125, which is a good indicator for me.
Like, Kathy, I have hardly any symptoms, just more tired than I want to be it orwhen I was NED.
I am always afraid that this cancer, which can move quickly and is nasty and aggressive, will spread to more difficult or dangerous parts of my body, such as nymph nodes, lungs, or liver.
I’d rather zap it quickly and work on keeping it at bay after that.
Meanwhile, like you, I did not expect a recurrence, and was taken by surprise when my marker started to rise.
I too hoped it was a glitch, but while waiting the required six weeks for my scan, I did a lot of preparation, financial and physical, just in case I needed to go back in treatment.
I also used the time treat myself to lunches out with friends, dinners out with hubby, ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and generally used the time to the best advantage I could.
I was still disappointed when the scan results came in, but a few tears later, I picked myself up and was ready to do battle.
I hope for your sake that this is just a glitch, but it is good to keep an open mind, check out your options while you are feeling pretty well and try to treat yourself like a princess.
Hello, Thank you so much, you have all helped me feel a lot better. I am going to try and stay as calm as I can while waiting for my results. I’m going to keep myself busy. I’ve planned a barbecue today with my son and grandson and I’m going to see some friends next week rather than sitting around worrying about it. I was afraid that if it is back then that would be the end but I’m more positive now and a little less scared.
You are an amazing group of strong caring people, thank you. Big gentle hugs to you all xx
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