CA 125 Test Results

Question

I am a 35/F with a history of Diabetes/Kidney/Pancreas transplant.  I recently went to my OB for my annual exam and because a CT scan suggested I might have a cyst on my ovaries.  My dcotor suggested that they also draw a test for my CA-125 level because of not having regular menstrual cycles.    Well all my other test results and the biopsy they did came back fine except my CA-125 level, it came back at 682.  I was informed that it could possibly be because of some of the rejection drugs I'm on that could elevate this level.  All the information I've read on this level relates to the possibility of having Ovarian Cancer.  My doctor informed me to see a surgeon which I have scheduled for next week.  I was reading information on your web site and was curious if I should be more concerned about the level being 682?  My doctor didn't seem to concerned about it.  All the articles I've read seem to talk about this level, but not being that high.  I don't know what other symptoms to look for but I did make an appt. with an Oncologist to see if they could give me any more information.  It seems like everytime I have something that comes back abnormal, everyone seems to want to relate it to my transplant or the rejection drugs I'm on.  I think there might be something more to it than that.  Any information on what this test result being this high could mean would be helpful.  Thank you!

milashka · Answer

My CA-125 was 900 pre-op but there was also a 12 cm mass on my ovary as well as some other spots on the CT scan so it was pretty clear what I was looking at. I was seated with tumors, stage 3C. My CA is now down to 14. Women in my chemosuite have had CAs of as high as 15,000! Obviously, it fluctuates greatly.

toothfairyp · Answer

Hi! I agree with Vixen and Gatsby. I was told by the head of a dept at Cleveland Clinic, that ca125 in PRE-MENOPAUSAL women is an unreliable test. I do not know anything about transplants or rejection drugs but check with your doctor about the unreliability of this test. GOod Luck

Gatsby · Answer

Vixen is right.  Apparently the ca123 is not reliable in pre-menopausal women.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Keep us posted.
~Tascha

rayofson · Answer

My mother is in her 2nd reoccurance.  Her CA125 is 53, after her first year of chemo it came down to like 10, but after 2 years it shot up to 53 and that was cause for concern.  Well the CT scan showed a small mass in the pelvic region.  However, when they opened her up the realized she was covered in cancer.  She has peritoneal/ovarian cancer and it's stage 3.  I thought 53 was high but im looking at the numbers you are all mentioning and im thinking maybe it's not so bad.  Are their different ways to measure that would give you a different number??  Just curious.

vixen28 · Answer

I was told at my first appointment with my GYN that a high CA-125 in pre-menopausal women can mean a number of things, eg endometriosis.  The Nurse Specialist speaking to me said that a woman can have a CA-125 of 0 and have OC or CA-125 of 3000 and be clear!!!  Seems to me that this test is used more to give an indication and nothing more.  Hope this helps!

CA 125 Test Results

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