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Ovarian Cancer  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Just got results CA-125 Help!!
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Boston - MA
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MedHelp Member's Question

Just got results CA-125 Help!!

by vicki26, Mar 28, 2007 12:00AM
Last week I went to the ER room with some left side pelvic pressure nothing really hurting. They did a vaginal ultra sound and CT with dye. The Ultrasound showed there was clusters of cysts on the right side. Then later the results from the Ct scan showed a mass near my left ovary with some fluids. I have really no other symptoms my major thing in seeing my gyno the week before was because I had a second period in the same month(which I assumed was menopause I'm 45) and a lot of yellow discharge. I just got back the CA-125 test the results are 77.  Is that very high?does it mean cancer? was it caught early? any help i'd appeciate.
Thank you,
Vicki


Doctor's Answer

by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Apr 01, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Vicki,
I agree with all the caring responses that you have received. A CA 125 just measures a protein that comes from he ovaries, uterus, and lining of the abdomen. It is not a cancer diagnosis. There are many conditions that can cause an elevation including infection, inflammation, a ruptures cyst, endometriosis, fibroid, gallbladder inflammation, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure and on and on.
I agree that your test should be repeated. Seeing a gyn oncologist is helpful because they can help you put this test in perspective. Finally if we do not know if there is a problem or not, the next step is doing a laparoscopy. on the other hand if the next CA 125 is normal and your cysts went away, then it was a transient normal situation,
best wishes to you
Member Comments (8)

by sistertwo, Mar 29, 2007 12:00AM
To: vicki26
Hey Vicki26, I wish I knew the answer. I know you're scared...I'm so sorry you are having to feel this type of fear. It's very scary. All I can do is offer support & hopefully a bit of encouragement. I was diagnosed with stage III ovca in August. My CA125 was quite a bit higher than yours. I don't know if the higher the #, the later the stage, but I don't think it works that way. I've heard of CA125's being in the thousands. I think CA125 can be elevated for other reasons besides ovca. I'll be honest though...it sounds suspicious for ovca.  My situation was similar. I went to my ob/gyn with complaints of abdominal pain & getting my periods a week early every month. I thought I was probably going through menapause too (I'm 41). Eventually, I went to the ER in severe abdominal pain, was told to take antiacids & sent home. I went again two days later & they did a sonogram of my gall bladder. My gallbladder was fine, but they did see free fluid. No further tests were done. I was asked if it were possible that the pain I was having was from PID, chlamydia or gonnorhea! I eventually made an appointment with an internal med doc who ordered a CT. I did not have the yellow discharge that you are experiencing. I was experiencing a lot of fatigue though which you didn't mention. I went through chemo & got through it. I won't lie & say it was easy, but I did get through it with the support of my friends & family. I'm in remission now & am doing fine. I'm back to work & feeling good. They are doing something called intraperitoneal chemo now too. Should you need or want to know more on this let me know...I'll be glad to share. Hang in there. I hope I did not scare you more because I truly don't know if something else could be causing your elevated CA125. If you do have ovca, you are young to be diagnosed. The average age is 60's I believe. Hang in there & please let me know what you find out.

by Jo A, Mar 29, 2007 12:00AM
Get a CT. & another CA125.  That's how they found my cancer.NOW, this is a very agressive cancer & evryday counts. Don't delay even if it means going to the ER to get it done today, it's that important!

by Cammie854, Mar 29, 2007 12:00AM
Hi Vickie,

Take a deep breath and breath.
And remember that you have a family and a SISSY who love you very much.
and let us kow when you get that oncologist appt and take it from there.

Cammie

by nyc lady, Mar 30, 2007 12:00AM
To: Vicky and Cammie
I am very sorry for what is going on here...you are both very concerned and there are people posting where they do not belong.

A CA125 of 77 while elevated is not overly high and is not an accurate test in diagnosing Ovarian Cancer...the only to truly diagnosis this disease is thru a biopsy.

You should get a 2nd opinion from a GYN/Oncologist...and no not because I think that you have cancer, but because they have an additional 3 years training in gynocological issues...they are the experts and if by the small chance that it is something, these are the experts in the field.

What you are going thru is very scary and I apologize for what has happened on this post.  It is unacceptable and not the norm for Med Help.

Dr Goodman is probably very busy or on vacation but will be along very shorty to offer her opinion.  Until then, please post on the patient to patient forum...there are lots of very caring people over there to offer help and support.

Good luck to you and your family.

Pam

by sistertwo, Mar 30, 2007 12:00AM
To: vicki26
I agree with nyc lady regarding the gyn/onc. I was referred to one by my internal med doc after the CT scan.
If I said anything that I should not have, I apologize. I did not intend to scare or misinform anyone...especially you in this scary time. I will be more careful about posting comments.

by vicki26, Mar 30, 2007 12:00AM
To: Sistertwo
Thank you I appreciate everyones emails. I thought your message was very informative. When this happen to you, you can't live in a bubble no matter how much you want to....lol    I'd love to be on an Island now having some drinks with not a care in the world but who wouldn't want that..Whatever we deal with health, family, work,or money you can never escape from it too long..But this weekend its gonna be some music and alot wine and I'll forget about test and Dr's till next week..haha
Thank you for everything,
Vicki

by vicki26, Mar 30, 2007 12:00AM
To: nyc lady
Hi,
Thank you so much for your emails and concern. This weekend I'm not going to be thinking about test results or Dr's appt's. I think I've stressed myself and my sister with my high anxiety levels.
So I'm just going to put everything out of my mind for the next few days and have some wine and just smile........lol

Thank you for your great posts it really helped me.
Vicki
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