Different values for the CA - 125

[Neta100]

Dear Doctor:
I have posted here in this forum before due to the presence of a fibroid and ovarian cysts.  In the left ovary, there is a septum so the doctor ran the CA - 125 in January .  It came elevated (95 UI/ml) so he told me that I needed to get operated and depending on the frozen biopsy of the left ovary they would decide if they needed to do a total hysterectomy.  

Since then, they have repeated the marker several times and it continues being in the same range.  But before the normal value was less than 35 UI/ml.  Now, they ran the test again and it is elevated (137 UI/ml), but the normal value is less than 21 UI/ml.  

I know that based on the reagent, they change the normal values, but the doctor doesn't know how to compare this result with the previous ones.  So my question is, how can the previous results be compared to this new one?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Neta

[Neta100]

Thanks for the advice.

I have had to do the marker in different labs due to the change of the normal range.  My doctor is an oncologist, but he wants to remove everything and I am just 37 years old with no kids, and removing all would make it impossible to have kids and enter into an early menopause.  Also, he knew the presence of the cysts for 4 years, but refused to give me any medicine to reduce them.

That's why I have done research and talked to different doctors in order to be sure of what's going on inside.

Neta

[withe]

Ca125 results can change from lab to lab. Do you know if they use the same test procedure ?   ( I don't wish this on anyone ) If biopsy is positive for ovarian cancer, please ask referral to a gyn-onocologist. Withe

[Texas Grannie]

CA125 tests can have a different outcome if you go to different labs. What kind of ovarian cancer do you have? If you have low grade or borderline, doctors don't always move so fast. I would be concerned since your CA125 has gone so much higher. Maybe a second opinion would be good. Texas Grannie

[Neta100]

Hi there.

They have just done TVGs and the marker several times.  The marker has been pretty much in the same range.  I haven't gotten operated due to persistent urinary infections and the oncologists wants to do a laparotomy and not just a laparoscopy.  He even told me he may have to remove everything (tubes, ovaries, uterus), that it depended on the result of the frozen biopsy.

So I am still waiting to see what to do.  I got a second opinion and this doctor told me they could only cut the myoma and remove the left ovary with its tube, and nothing else.  The thing is that I haven't had any symptoms related to ovarian cysts since I have regular periods, not so heavy, I am not bloated or in pain.  I have had IBS for many years due have been given antibiotics for urinary and throat infections, and periods of low fever probably due to an immunological disease.

Thanks for your help.

Neta

[StillFighting]

Dr's forum must of been full....

ca125's are not always accurate. did they do a biopsy??? if they haven't removed them yet and there cancerous then the tumor marker would continue to rise.

if you have already had the surgery removing the ovaries then perchance they need to also look else where?