CA 125 fluctuation - What is normal?

[Dennis11208]

My friend was diagnosed with stage IIIC, epithelial adenocarcinomas of fallopian tubes. After her 5th course of chemo with carboplatin/taxol her CA125 was 2.9 and rose to 6.0 after her 6th chemo treatment. The nurse who provided her with the CA125 results said that their office uses two different labs to do the CA125 analysis and one of the labs is usually 2 points higher than the other one.  Her CA125 test after her 5th chemo was taken at the lab that usually comes in lower so they say.  Even though the CA125 went up just 3 points it still appears to have doubled.  So my question is, is this  a sign of the beginnings of a rise in CA125 level or is it normal for the CA125 to fluctuate some?  If it is normal to fluctuate, how much is a normal flucuation?

Her CA125 measurements:

When diagnose was 126
After complete hysterectomy 36
After first chemo 10 (done by lab 1)
After second chemo 8 (done by lab 1)
After third chemo 4.8 (done by lab 2
After fourth chemo 4.0 (done by lab 2)
After fifth chemo 2.9 (done by lab 2)
After sixth chemo 6.0 (Done by lab 1)

Dennis

[crecco]

The others are right, it is best to use the same labs. I have had mine be as much as 40 points difference between 2 different labs, so now I have all bloodwork done at the sameplace so it is all sent to the same lab.
  My onc considers my rises by how much they rise and if I have 3 consecutive rises in a row. Then he will schedule a scan to find out what is going on.
  I do not think that they would mind if your friend requested all of her bloodwork be done at the same place and that that place would use the same lab.
  Chris

[Sherrygail]

Dennis,
It is best to use the same lab if possible.  Some labs say you should be under 35 and some say under 25.  I think most oncs won't do chemo unless it is over 100 or they find something in one of the scans.  Sherry

[Dennis11208]

Thank you Cindy, Stillfighting and Vegas

I am so sorry that you have been inflicted with this disease as well.  

CoQ10, Coriolus Versicolor, Natural Resveratrol capsules, Modified Citrus Pectin Powder, Dandelion root powder are some products that may help prevent a reoccurrence. God I do hope so.  I’ve heard also that mistletoe injections after chemo may be an answer as well.  Organic fruits and vegetables, easy on the beef, hot peppers, cauliflower, watch the sugar and alcohol.

I just was reading up on ginger, however it looks like you have to be careful with how much and how long you take that product.

My friend’s Oncologist works out of two different hospitals and she lives half way in between each so they have scheduled her at both.

[Cindy809]

Dennis ... the trend was created by the labs.  The treatment brought her numbers to normal range (both labs).  Is it possible to have the testing done at the same place each time?  This will be enough to drive her crazy!!!  I truly don't understand why they would even use a different lab.  Especially the last CA125.  It would have made total sense to have the last one with  the 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments.   My doctor said the CA125 fluctuates a certain % (can't remember %).  The only time that I would be concerned if the number starts doubling over time past normal range.  Mine doubles in a matter of weeks because I have grade 3 tumors. Some ladies with grade 1 tumors CA125 doesn't jump as fast as mine.  After treatment instead of the usual every 3 months I ask for it once a month.  I'm not alone.  Some ladies do the same thing.  Hope this helps....Good news for her.  May she have a very long dance with NED!!!!!   Cindy

[StillFighting]

It depends on the lab. I've heared some say 25.

My particular lab. anything over 35 and they start looking.

[vegas2cr]

if at all possible they should be done at the same lab.. with that said doctors look for a trend... I was at 6.0 one year ago and now I am at 18.9 and still within normal range and no evidence at this moment of cancer.....