Another CA125?

[onniebay]

My CA125 was 65.6 after I had my ovary removed.  I don't know what it was at the end of chemo.  I decided not to find out unless there was a problem.  I just don't want to get fixated on a #.  If you have had high numbers does that mean you alway will at recurrence?  Thank you for any help.  

[rmarie]

onniebay you are in control, way to go.  You are in a good medical center, may only good come your way.  
marie

[onniebay]

Thank you for all the responses. My numbers have not gone up.  I just wanted to know.  Marie when I was having chemo after the surgery my numbers were all over the place and it was stressing me out.  First chemo it went down to 18.  Then it went to 10.  Then back up to 16.  I have since had the complete surgery and all my pathlogy came back clear.  Washings too.  I was never officially staged.  Long story.  I'm seeing someone at Duke and I do trust him.  

Wanted to add Marie you are probably right.  I had two periods during chemo even though they are supposed to stop.  One was right after my number jumped from 10 to 16.  I was a lot more relaxed after not finding out my numbers.  I'm going to keep playing it that way.  If I am to have a recurrance, I will watch them more closely.  

[rmarie]

Your Ca 125 would be elevated after surgery and then go down as you have chemo.  Since you weren't told it was a problem you could assume that it was ok.  I understand what you are saying about not fixating on a number, however I like to know.  It bothered me after chemo was competed to have to go 3 months, but then it got nice and normal.  We can't do anything about it if it does recur, except start whatever treatment is recommended.  For me the best way to deal with this disease is to get educated and stay knowledgable about your body and what it is doing.  
After all I wrote
Here is a thought -  If you are pre menopausal and still have an ovary, ask if it is a good marker for you away

[SimplyStar]

What were you staged at?  for those that the CA125 is a good marker, then it will help guide the doctors to a point, but the scans are more informative.  if the cancer was confined to just 1 ovary it must mean you were staged at level 1,  your chances of a recurrance are much lower than if it had spread outside of the ovaries.

[alanpvegas]

From what I remember CA-125 tells the doctors that a recurrance is *coming*.  It does not always mean tumors are present (even though ca-125 is called a 'tumor' marker).  So if they see levels rising, they maywant to start chemo and take scans to see where you are.