CA 125

[Trisha58]

My CA 125 count is 195 as of 12/26/08 and that is after I did 9 rounds of Gemzar chemo since 5/1/08.  My dr is starting me on a hormone pill for the next 30 days to see if that will bring down my CA count.  My CT scan which was last week is not showing anything bad at all.  Someone told me that a hormone inbalance can cause the CA 125 count to go up or for that matter other factors can make the count go up.  My count has been rising every month but it jumps 20+ points each time, it hasn't jumped 100 points at a time at all and my dr has said he is not concerned yet.

[djune617]

Has anyone experienced a dramatic increase of your CA125 after starting Tamoxifen?  My friend has been on it for 30 days and her count jumped from 400+ to 700+.

[Trisha58]

I appreciate your responses and it is very helpful.  I had my CA125 drawn yesterday and when I wrote you the first time I didn't know yet what it was but this time it jumped a lot more--it is now 349 which is definitely not a good sign.  I am going to start taking the Tamoxifen today and then will probably know within 30 days if it is working or not.  My dr always told me that they start you on other chemos instead of the same one because it will work better.  The dr that first diagnosed me and operated on me is not my dr now.   I did have a female dr that operated on me but when I went into remission she moved away to Virginia and now I have a new dr at UK--I think he has talked to my original dr about me and she is the one that told him about using the Tamoxifen.  My dr now didn't really see my situation first hand like the first dr.  I trust both of them very much though.  I think the reason they changed it is because it was just a gradual increase in the CA count, but this last time it jumped over 150 points.  I hope you will stay in touch and I will keep you posted.  Thanks.

[Cindy809]

Hello .... Glad to hear from you again.  Next time you talk with your doctor ask her why she didn't start you on carbo/taxol for your recurrence?   You were two years out and that is usually what the doctors try again.  It worked for you and gave you a long remission.  Also, ask your doctor if an Assy was done on your tumors after your first surgery?  It will show if you are ER positive or negative and PR positive or negative.  It will also show why type of tumor you have and the resistance to different chemos.  She might be using it and that is the reason why she put you on tamoxifen.  Er means estrogen. E + means that your tumors could be feed by estrogen.  PR+ means that your body is still producing projesterone.  My tumors were tested and I am ER+PR-.  I researched the results and some women are ER+PR+,ER-PR-,ER-,PR+, it was very confusing to me as to what the difference is as far as treatment goes.  I know if you are ER+ the doctor sometimes will recommend a hormone treatment to block the estrogen from feeding the tumor.  I don't know the % of it's effectiveness.  Gemzar has a 30%, and Carbo/Taxol 50%. if your tumors do not resist the chemo.  You asked if there are other reasons for the steady rise?  Yes, there are rises in healthy women who do not have ovca.  Not always, but usually after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer it means that the cancer has come back.  I've read your postings and I'm wondering why your doctor didn't switch you to another chemo when your CA125 starting rising?  It was probably the clear scan that determined that decision.  As soon as my CA125 starts rising during treatments, my doctor switches right away.  Orders the scan and sure enough there is progression.    Did your doctor say anything about how reliable your CA125 is?  If a CA125 starts trending a doctor will order a CT scan and then if nothing is seen they might order a PetCT.  Some doctors do not rely on the CA125.  Mine is very sensitive and is a good marker.   After this chemo break and if the tamaxofin doesn't lower your CA125  I'd ask her about the Carbo/Taxol combination and a PetCt to see what is going on and why your CA125 is trending.   It will show small disease that might be affecting your CA125 to rise.  I'm glad that you are feeling well.  You might want to go to a GI doctor to see why you are having so much acid reflux.  I hope this treatment works and that you do not have to go on chemo again.  Best Wishes!  Cindy

[Trisha58]

I don't know what ER+ means.  I was first diagnosed  with Ovarian Cancer 1l/05 and I was Stage 3C .  My tumor was too large to surgically remove so I had 3 rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin chemo and then 1/06 I had a complete hysterectomy and the tumor was gone from the chemo.  I went almost 2 years with good CA 125 counts 14 or lower but my count started gradually going up before the 2 years.  My count got up to 96 5/1/08 and that's when I started Gemzar chemo.  The last time it was drawn 12/26 it was 195.  I am starting on Tamoxifen today and if within 30 days the count is going down then I won't have to start chemo again.  It seems like something is going on but nothing is showing up.  I have been having a lot of indigestion even while I am taking Protonix for acid reflux but I feel great!  Thanks for your comments and hope to hear from you again soon.  I am from KY (Frankfort) and I go to UK Markey Cancer Center for treatment.  

[Teresa222]

It would help us understand a little more about your history if you would please complete your Profile.  Within the profile you will provide your Stage, when you were first dx, etc..
Teresa

[Cindy809]

Hello Trish....From what I read about your history during treatment your CA125 was fluctuating.  Some ladies do very well on a hormone pill.  Do you know if you are ER+. ?That would help.  Currently your CA125 is trending slowly.  Do you know what grade tumor you have?  If slow growing, you might want to ask your doctor for a PETCT.  That will show small disease that the Ct wouldn't pick up.  Then he can determine what your next step will be with chemo and what he is treating if you have active disease. You mentioned that your CT didn't show anything bad.  Does that mean you are stable?  What did he see?   A trending 20 point rise means that something is going on.  A 30 day break from chemo will help your body recover if you do have to start chemo again.  9 rounds is a long time.  I hope you do not have to start chemo again and that the hormone pill works for you!!  What one is he putting you on?  Hope this helps.....Cindy