rising ca 125

[na69]

Dear Dr. Goodman,
I don't think my first posting did not make the forum so here I am again.  This is the brief history of my ovarian cancer story.

Diagnosed with serous papillary carcinoma stage 1 b grade 2 in Feb. 2004 at age 34
complete hysterectomy
received 6 rounds of chemo of taxal and carbo
for the past 3 years my ca 125 was below 10
June 2007 ca 125 was 15
July count 24 CT scan normal
Oct. count 29
I am schedule for ct scan in 5 days.

Please tell me is  this normal spikes or is this sign of reoccurence?  I understand that ca125 is not 100% positive, but I need to know what you think?
Thank you in advance
Na69

[nyc lady]

You have again posted on the patient to patient forum vs the patient doctor forum, sometimes it is hard to get your question on the board to Dr Goodman as she is very busy with limited time.

What does your GYN/ONC say about the increase in numbers?  

It is my understanding, that if someone is CA125 sensitive that the doctors will watch for a rise and doubling in CA125 nubmers.  You are still considered in normal range.  

Remember that the CA125 is not a conclusive test.  Hopefully the CT Scan will be all clear and your CA125 will drop again....maybe there is an infection in your body.

[Casey06]

A rising CA-125 level in woman who has been in remission, accurately predicts recurrance in over 95% of patients. I am not sure if this holds true when the level is in the normal range and making small changes over several months as yours is. None the less, your doctor appears to be following up appropriately with a CT scan. Call and ask him point blank what he thinks of the rising CA-125 level.

We will pray for a clear CT scan.