CA 125 test

[Pixel99]

I am 55 and about 3 years past menopause. I've always been healthy and exercised, but in February of this year I had what seemed to be a period. My family dr examined me and ran some hormone tests and said it was just changes due to menopause. I continued to feel bloated, fatigued and developed extreme constipation. I called my dr back and he referred me to a specialist, but I couldn't get in to see the specialist until last week (June 2009).  The specialist did a vaginal ultrasound and found a 3" cyst on my right ovary and an inflammed fallopian tube. He sent for a CA125 test and it came back with a 9. The nurse said it was normal if below 35, but was still not a definite way to rule out ovarian cancer. I can't see the dr again until June 30th. Is there something else that I should be doing? After reading about the reliability of the CA125 test and early ovarian cancer detection, I'm still feeling very anxious. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Pixel99]

Thank you for the reply. Would the gyn be able to make a determination about the lining of the uterus based on the vaginal ultrasound? I think I remember him saying it looked okay. I continue to feel worse with lots of bloating and gas and very uncomfortable lying down. The dr called in a pain reliever for me, but I am very concerned about having to wait another two weeks. Should I try to find someone to see me sooner?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,


I am less worried about ovarian cancer than cancer of the uterus. Any bleeding after menopause is abnormal. The standard of care is to perform either a biopsy of the lining of the uterus (endometrial biopsy) in the office or a more thorough biopsy in the operating room called a D&C (dilation and curettage).
Please ask your gynecologist to check the endometrial lining.
best wishes