CA-125 of 12.. a question

[jonzbeach]

I am currently in the process of being worked up after a worrisome MRI..MRI reading bilateral cyst with septation and mild mural nodularity, 8.8 on right and 6.3 left......but Gyn doing his own transvaginal ulx felt he saw a 10 cm with septation on left ovary.  First thing I got was a CA-125 which came back at 12.  I am being too premature in breathing a sigh of relief?  I know very well it is not a true indicator for presence of ovarian CA, but I guess I was hoping the fact it is not elevated, it may be benign.  I am not able to get in for lap until mid June so I can take care of some comittements.  Gyn felt that it would be okay based on his findings.  I figured I would left the CA-125 dictate if I would wait or not.  Am I being too relaxed?  I am not plagued by any pain or any acute symptoms, save for a bit of fullness in my pelvic area, at this point.  And other symptoms are hard to distinguish (i.e. bloating) as I am quite overweight.  Any thoughts most appreciated!!  

[ChrisP2236]

I agree with Deandra. My CA came back at 6 and of course I was relieved.  However, my pathology report came back with stage 1c granulosa cell tumor.  CA 125 is not a marker for this type of ovarian cancer.  If you are having lap surgery to remove your ovaries make sure you request your surgeon bag the ovary before morcellating it (cutting it up to pull it out).  If you gyn feels there is any possibility of cancer you should have a gyn/onc perform your surgery.  The only way they know for sure is to biopsy the cyst.  Most cysts are benign so statistics are on your side but I wouldn't necessarily recommend waiting.  If it is cancer and the cysts rupture you are risking spreading cancer cells in your abdomen.  Good luck and let us know how things go.  Chris P

[cmcn]

Okay- the CA125 is not the be-all and end-all, but 12 is a good and reassurring number.  Of course, get your doc's input here, but if it was me I'd have serial ultrasounds monthly and if the cysts are regressing, keep doing that.  If they are growing, you'll want them out - not so much becuase of cancer risk but because they WILL start interfering with function of other pelvic/abdominal organs.  

[Brownie3321]

Hello there. It's hard to give you a good answer, so I will just offer my advice and tell you what I would do. I would not take a low ca-125 as an indication that everything is okay. Ca-125 is a so-so test which is not reliable as you already know. I don't want to scare you at all, but time is of the ESSENCE when you are dealing with ovarian cancer. The sooner you catch it, the better chances you have of beating it. Just my two cents...
Good luck, Deandra