1st Line Chemo Ca 125 still over 35

While we don't have final numbers, it's not looking good.  After the fourth round my mom's ca 125 was 175. After the 5th round it is 137.  Before surgery her ca 125 was over 13,000.  After surgery, before chemo, it was over 4000.  While the numbers have come down dramatically, I know they are not good enough.  Her doctor scheduled another round of carboplatin without the taxol (because of neuropathy concerns) on Dec. 30.even before we knew her latest numbers at 137.  She had her 6th round yesterday.  The drop of only 38 was disappointing.  Does this mean she will not go into remission?  What happens if this is the case?  Honestly, I'm a bit scared,

[jlock]

Sometimes more rounds of chemo are needed to get that ca-125 into the normal zone. It can also be that above normal ca-125 test results are normal for her. I would ask for a ct scan to see if there is disease still present. My results were down to normal and I had a clear ct scan when I had a colostomy reversal done. I was found to still have visiable cancer ,so I had to start on 6 cycles of Doxil before they stopped chemo. I hope you Mom is feeling well and you find your answers soon.~~~Joanne

[Teresa222]

Have you asked your Mother's ONC if the CA 125 numbers could be "relative". That would explain why they are still over the normal level.
Teresa

[Oregondaughter]

The doc did say that her ca 125 were relative.  And interestingly, she is working on scheduling her colostomy reversal, hoping that these numbers don't keep her from this.  She has had the WORST colostomy in the world.  Her stoma died and it has been closing on itself.  The opening is smaller than your pinkie finger.  She is basically on a liquid diet, just keeping things moving until she gets through chemo.  She meets with the surgeon on Tuesday.  We'll see.  Thanks for the comments.

Denyc

[ireneo]

I hope she gets some encouraging news on Tuesday. I also hope the weather cooperates. You know we're going to have a nasty cold spell the next few days with high winds. Not sure how much snow you finally got by the end of the day but it's all going to freeze. Please be careful. We ventured out today with chains on and still did some slipping and sliding. Let us know what you hear.