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Recurrance after 5 years?
On Sept 17, 2004 my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer (something that had killed both her mother and grandmother). My mother went through surgery and 6 chemo treatments and her CA125 went from the 300 range all the way down to 6 post chemo.
Today, 5+ years later her results came back and the CA125 went from 9 to 29. The doctor said they want her back in 3 months to do a CAT scan and another CA125. She is currently 67 years old.
What are your thoughts? Is it back? Is this an aberration?
Today, 5+ years later her results came back and the CA125 went from 9 to 29. The doctor said they want her back in 3 months to do a CAT scan and another CA125. She is currently 67 years old.
What are your thoughts? Is it back? Is this an aberration?
A related discussion, New results, cancer back, this time in lungs after 5 year remission was started.
I was dx 3C in 2005 and I am coming up on my 5-year remission, My CA-125 has always been around 13 (plus minus 2), then last year was 16 in July and 26 in October. Since then, it's been hovering. 27 in December, 24 in February, and 28 last week.
I did a lot of research on this and found that one marker reading means nothing at all. What they watch for is a trend, so the next reading may be more telling. It is true that a rising trend, even in normal range, is usually a sign that the cancer is back, if the marker is a good tool for that patient. The number I read, there is an 86% chance the patient will officially recur within a year if the marker rises three consecutive times. There is another study that cautions against jumping to conclusions if a patient has been in remission for more than 2 years. Other diseases and conditions can cause the marker to go up, and while the it can come back even after years of remission, it is less likely to do so as time goes on.
When was your mom's last reading? Meaning, how fast did it jump from 9 to 29?
For me, it was a huge shock when my marker jumped to 26. I could not believe it. However, I have now had 7 months to brace myself for what will likely happen - I am very positive, however, I am also a realist. In the meantime, my oncologist checks me every 2-3 months. Even though my marker jumped from 24 to 28, he will recheck it in 3 months along with a CT (I had a CT both in October and January, both were clean).
I did a lot of research on this and found that one marker reading means nothing at all. What they watch for is a trend, so the next reading may be more telling. It is true that a rising trend, even in normal range, is usually a sign that the cancer is back, if the marker is a good tool for that patient. The number I read, there is an 86% chance the patient will officially recur within a year if the marker rises three consecutive times. There is another study that cautions against jumping to conclusions if a patient has been in remission for more than 2 years. Other diseases and conditions can cause the marker to go up, and while the it can come back even after years of remission, it is less likely to do so as time goes on.
When was your mom's last reading? Meaning, how fast did it jump from 9 to 29?
For me, it was a huge shock when my marker jumped to 26. I could not believe it. However, I have now had 7 months to brace myself for what will likely happen - I am very positive, however, I am also a realist. In the meantime, my oncologist checks me every 2-3 months. Even though my marker jumped from 24 to 28, he will recheck it in 3 months along with a CT (I had a CT both in October and January, both were clean).
Thanks, Joanna!
The dr. did give her a list of symptoms and said come back immediately if you have any. I am glad to hear that others fight the good fight and still have productive lives!
I am praying for her and for everyone here!
The dr. did give her a list of symptoms and said come back immediately if you have any. I am glad to hear that others fight the good fight and still have productive lives!
I am praying for her and for everyone here!
Hi Rodstar,
My mom who was also diagnosed stage IIIC in 2002 had a 7 year remission, and was diagnosed with a recurrence in July of 2009. I would agree with others (from my experience sitting through her oncologist appointments with her) that chemo before presence of cancer is of little value (I, of course am not a Dr.). My mom was restarted on Carbo/Taxol as it was effective the first time (Like your mom). My mom's recurrence didn't really respond to the Carbo/Taxol the second time around, but that was kind of a blessing as the side effects were really troublesome. She was switched to Gemzar in October, and did really well on it for a few months (little side effects and tumor shrinkage, and her hair grew back.
As is common with recurrance, treatments sometimes lose their effectiveness and new treatments need to be introduced. She's had her ups and downs but after radiation in April has been on a 7 week hiatus from chemo and is feeling great and had a reduction in her cancer-related symptoms. As this site will tell you, there are many fierce warriors who have been living quality lives with recurrence for years.
It ***** waiting for the process to unfold, and I would encourage your mom to inquire with her Dr. whether a 3 month wait is necessary. A slight elevation in CA-125 typically does not get attention, but if your mom is having ANY other symptoms, to take it to her Dr. immediately.
Sending prayers your and your mom's way!
Joanna
My mom who was also diagnosed stage IIIC in 2002 had a 7 year remission, and was diagnosed with a recurrence in July of 2009. I would agree with others (from my experience sitting through her oncologist appointments with her) that chemo before presence of cancer is of little value (I, of course am not a Dr.). My mom was restarted on Carbo/Taxol as it was effective the first time (Like your mom). My mom's recurrence didn't really respond to the Carbo/Taxol the second time around, but that was kind of a blessing as the side effects were really troublesome. She was switched to Gemzar in October, and did really well on it for a few months (little side effects and tumor shrinkage, and her hair grew back.
As is common with recurrance, treatments sometimes lose their effectiveness and new treatments need to be introduced. She's had her ups and downs but after radiation in April has been on a 7 week hiatus from chemo and is feeling great and had a reduction in her cancer-related symptoms. As this site will tell you, there are many fierce warriors who have been living quality lives with recurrence for years.
It ***** waiting for the process to unfold, and I would encourage your mom to inquire with her Dr. whether a 3 month wait is necessary. A slight elevation in CA-125 typically does not get attention, but if your mom is having ANY other symptoms, to take it to her Dr. immediately.
Sending prayers your and your mom's way!
Joanna
Thanks for the reply. My mother, being the Italian that she is, can find the negative in any positive situation. My dad, fortunately, is the eternal optimist. They balance each other out nicely.
But, I never thought my mom would survive the first battle. She is so much stronger than I gave her credit for! She did do amazingly well, all things considered, so I expect nothing less this time around!
Its not the chemo and surgery that hurt me so much. Its the not-knowing and the fear of dying that wrecks me (in terms of what my mom is going through, not me personally).
Hope is not lost!!!
But, I never thought my mom would survive the first battle. She is so much stronger than I gave her credit for! She did do amazingly well, all things considered, so I expect nothing less this time around!
Its not the chemo and surgery that hurt me so much. Its the not-knowing and the fear of dying that wrecks me (in terms of what my mom is going through, not me personally).
Hope is not lost!!!
There have been studies reported recently (sorry, I don't have the citations) that show that there's no advantage to starting chemo when the CA-125 is up but there is nothing seen on scans. In other words, the length of time a patient lives does not lengthen with early chemo. This has been viewed as a blessing by women who are being treated as chronic -- because they can occasionally get a rest from chemo when there's nothing on their scans.
You mom has done wonderfully well so far. Her first surgery and chemo "bought" her five years. Perhaps another round of chemos, if and when the doctor believes its necessary, will do just as well. If not, she may try different types of chemo, of which there seem to be many. (Fortunately, carbo/taxol -- which is typically the first line chemo -- is the only one that always causes hair loss. Some women find the others easier to take, so they soldier on.)
I'm sorry her CA-125 number is up, and I hope it's not a sign of cancer. But you don't have to give up hope if is.
You mom has done wonderfully well so far. Her first surgery and chemo "bought" her five years. Perhaps another round of chemos, if and when the doctor believes its necessary, will do just as well. If not, she may try different types of chemo, of which there seem to be many. (Fortunately, carbo/taxol -- which is typically the first line chemo -- is the only one that always causes hair loss. Some women find the others easier to take, so they soldier on.)
I'm sorry her CA-125 number is up, and I hope it's not a sign of cancer. But you don't have to give up hope if is.
Just a quick follow-up. My sister spoke with the doctor. She said:
1. Less than 10% chance it is an anomaly.
2. >50% chance she will have cancer diagnosis in within 3 years
3. It will most likely come back locally (in the same area as the ovarian cancer).
4. because she reacted so well to the regimen she was on, they will likely use the same cocktail.
5. If the number doubles or triples its bad. her number quadrupled from 7 to 29.
6. They have lowered the safe range from 35 to 21 on the CA-125 test.
Worst part is that (and she has seen this many times), the number continues to rise, they know she has cancer, but it is microscopic and can't see it on tests for a long time. That becomes very hard on the patient and family.
But, waiting 3 months has little impact at this point.
1. Less than 10% chance it is an anomaly.
2. >50% chance she will have cancer diagnosis in within 3 years
3. It will most likely come back locally (in the same area as the ovarian cancer).
4. because she reacted so well to the regimen she was on, they will likely use the same cocktail.
5. If the number doubles or triples its bad. her number quadrupled from 7 to 29.
6. They have lowered the safe range from 35 to 21 on the CA-125 test.
Worst part is that (and she has seen this many times), the number continues to rise, they know she has cancer, but it is microscopic and can't see it on tests for a long time. That becomes very hard on the patient and family.
But, waiting 3 months has little impact at this point.
make sense to me to have it repeated in one month instead of three months. Talk to her dr to move the date earlier.
Peace and Love
Peace and Love
Thanks for the response! Would it make sense to push for a 30 day visit or a PET scan now?
She is a very lucky woman and since her original diagnosis has lived to see 3 grandchildren born!!!
For now I guess we will wait and see. Its the waiting that is so difficult. At least if you know then you can deal with that. But waiting and not knowing is painful. More for my mom than me, but still.
She is a very lucky woman and since her original diagnosis has lived to see 3 grandchildren born!!!
For now I guess we will wait and see. Its the waiting that is so difficult. At least if you know then you can deal with that. But waiting and not knowing is painful. More for my mom than me, but still.
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