CA125 Level 90 - any hope?

[violet319]

I started with severe abdominal cramps and bleeding that is off and on for about 6 weeks now.  I am 48.  My gyn said my uterus is enlarged and he initially thought fibroids.  A vaginal ultrasound showed a large ovarian tumor about 11cm by 6cm.  My CA 125 came back as 90 so I'm seeing a gynecolocial oncologist in 2 weeks.  My gyn said it could still be something called low malignancy potential tumor, but I am not feeling very confident and am so scared.  Does anyone have any advice or any positive news?  

[kismetfarm]

A CA125 of 90 is not that high (numbers in the thousands are not that unusual).  So while the fact that it is elevated at all is not a good thing it doesn't necessarily mean OVCA.   You can get an elevated CA125 from an infection or for other reasons.   It is one of those markers that has more relevance after diagnosis when they can track your own personal levels.  

The not knowing is hard I know and being scared is pretty normal.  Have a google search for Borderline Ovarian tumors and Low Malignancy Potential tumor which will give you more info about that (recent studies are very positive about it)   Early ovca is successfully treated a lot of the time too and advance ovca can have good outcomes too.  

All the best (fingers crossed for you)

[milashka]

I understand what you must feel like but they will not be able to tell 100% what it is until after surgery. I commend you for seeking a gyn/oncologist - you are in the very best hands which is very, very important IF it is cancer.

I would push for surgery asap - I am sure the oncologist will too - get this out whatever it is and take it from there.

I was diagnosed OvCa 3C Nov 23, 2005. My CA-125 was 960. I had a tumor on each ovary (one was 12 cm) and several throughout the abdomen. My oncologist was pretty sure it was cancer but he said there is ALWAYS that chance it is benign, and they just can't know until they run the pathology on it.

BTW the CA-125 is an iffy marker for initial diagnosis. There are a lot of false positives (a lot!) meaning it can read high without cancer present, and occasionally there are false negatives (reading normal when cancer is present). The numbers fluctuate from just barely above normal to 15,000.

But you definitely made the right choice going to a gyn/onc. Best wishes!

[violet319]

Thank you so much, I feel better already.  I'm hoping for the best.

[violet319]

Thank you so much!

[shewrites]

I had a similar-sized tumor on one ovary, which was removed along with all the rest of my "female parts."   I was staged as ovarian cancer 1A (one ovary, no spread), had six treatments of chemo therapy, and then re-grew my hair and proceeded on with my life.  Finished chemo seven years ago.  There are lots of people on this forum with stage one ovca, and most have been clear for quite some time.  From what you've said above, you could easily be early stage.  

No one can tell you what you have -- much less what stage if you have a malignancy -- until after the pathology is back following surgery.  It's almost impossible, but try not to worry until you know why you need to worry. There's plenty to be hopeful about.  

[MinnieWM]

Your CA-125 level is not that high, and the mass could be benign.  I had a large mass as well, but it was contained to a single ovary.  Even if your's is malignant, as stated above, you should have an excellent prognosis.  

Best of luck.

[canton481]

A related discussion, Marker at 49 was started.