My mom has ovarian as well, so I can relate to your feelings.  

CA125 is a good test to look for recurrence of ovca in someone who has been diagnosed and treated.  But it is NOT a reliable way to find out if someone has early stage ovca before any surgery/pathology is done.  I would be more afraid of a dr who trusted the test too much than one who doesn't take it seriously.

CA125 can be raised by many benign conditions, including endometriosis or ovarian cysts.  Many women with an elevated CA125 do not have ovca.  At the same time, up to 20% of women diagnosed with early stage ovca will have a CA125 reading in the "normal" range.  I have read that overall, CA125 is about 50% accurate in diagnosing early stage ovca.

I also have a TVUS and CA125 done yearly.  I find it reassuring that the number has been consistently low... however I put a LOT more faith in the TVUS than in the CA125.

Mom on the other hand, has a CA125 every few months.  Since we know her CA125 was in the single digits after chemo finished, when it rises past the normal range (35) it is probably a sign the cancer is beginning to return.

MickeyVickey does an excellent job explaining this in a posting under "Can someone please explain CA125 to me once and for all?" from LindaF on 6/15/06.

The Gilda Radner Foundation (www.ovariancancer.com) is diligently searching for a RELIABLE test for early stage ovarian cancer.  If one is found it could save thousands of lives.  Unfortunately, as of now, CA125 is not that test.

I just want to say - best of luck to you.
Since Ovarian Cancer is not usually found until it is in its later stages - a CA-125 tumor marker is an EXTREMELY VALUABLE tool - short of an invasive procedure.
It is an inexpensive blood test - and for some people can mean the difference between life and death.
It is the only way we know when my mother's advanced re-current ovarian cancer has returned - which has been many times.
So many doctors don't think it has validity, but speaking from experience - if my doctor thought that - I would change doctors.

I have a CA-125 reading done every year as well as a transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic exam - as a precaution.


Again, best wishes.

Hi Linda, the doc who did my surgery didn't put any stock in the CA-125 test either for cystic women. I didn't have one done.  I already knew I had a cyst that had to come out, so what was the point? lol.

Linda J

I had a CEA and CA 125 done.  CEA was 2.8 and CA 125 was 4.  I had my biopsies done last Friday.  I feel like this is the only true indicator.  So, I will let you know the results when I get them.  Tomorrow I will see the ob/gyn again and I will ask him what he thinks of the CA 125 and it's validity.