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CA- 125 Worries

I was just told my CA-125 level was 47.  I know some of you mentioned lower results.  I have one ovary covered in golf ball like cysts and the other one completly covered with one big cyst.

Does my high CA-125 level look bad?  Do any of you other ladies have a high count like mine and have been diagnosed benign?

Of course I am worried.

7 Responses
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117289 tn?1391712825
Tybear is right.  Alot of things can cause a high ca125.  It is used best as a tumor marker, once ovca has been dx.  They have recently changed the normal level to 65.  It is also not a reliable test in pre menopausal women.
~Tascha
Helpful - 0
140437 tn?1215109742
I posted you a response in another thread but I'll put it here as well incase you dont read it. FORGET ca125 mine is 47 also. Now I have read about the amount of cysts you have it makes perfect sense. I was told that the sheer size of the cyst can elevate ca125. In your case imagine the amount of irritation that your cysts are causing. I read that anything that tickles your tummy can elevate ca125.

Linda f can tell you more but I know Hopkins have changed the normal value to 65 and that they no longer perform the test pre-surgery. 47 is not high. Not withstanding false negatives/positves people with ovarian cancer have ca125 in the hundreds. Also people with endo have ca125 in the hundreds in case anyone reads this and thinks oh my god. There is little point in giving you your ca125 without an interpretation. That is one good thing about the UK they will not even give you the result without you being in gny office.

Linda told me one story where by her friend had a phone call from the doctors office saying her cancer marker had come back positve. After her friend had a mental breakdown (as you would) it was later clarified by the doctor that her test was administered to check for endo not cancer.

Anna x
Helpful - 0
140437 tn?1215109742
A ca125 test is a way to gauge CHANGE! It is not used as an isolated diagnostic tool which is why it is not used for screaning healthy woman. It is used in conjunction with other things such as characteristics of the cyst to get an idea of the potential for malignancy. It is better suited for woman who have already been diagnosed with cancer because before hand you have no idea what YOUR normative value is. It may have even been 47 before the cyst arrived.

Linda will be so proud of me. Although im still gonna get off the forum and worry about my ca 125 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Anna x
Helpful - 0
135691 tn?1271097123
I am a true testament that a CA125 is not a good tool in diagnosing Ovarian Cancer. You do have a relativly low level, and it's different for everyone. I was a 46 and had a stomach full of tumors, yet I read about women who have benign cysts and their levels are in the thousands. That number is really not relevant until you have actually been diagnosed with cancer, and at that point it becomes more of a marker - they watch the levels over a long period of time to look for any gradual increases. Don't worry about your number right now - it really means nothing bad at this point.(and it's not as high as it might sound!)
Helpful - 0
140437 tn?1215109742
It is an absolute pleasure we all care very much about each other on this forum, I dont know where I would be right now without it and these fantastic woman.

Anna x
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Avatar universal
Thank you with all of my heart for taking the time to write this.  I am grateful for this sight and your time to help inform me!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hang in there.  I don't have the answers for you, but rest assure that someone here will.  They are the best bunch of ladies.

Take care,
Shawn
Helpful - 0
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