The Rise and Fall of CA 125

[tworoses]

My mother, Dx with OVCA Stage IV, finished chemo in March of 2009, 8 rounds of carbo/taxotere. Her CA 125 was 9 in April and now 14 the end of July.It has been in normal limits since January, although we never asked the exact number. She is Sx free. Both CT scans show NED. My question is: does/can the CA 125 go up and down within the normal limit range?  For instance, could it be 10 in October?  Am I jumping the gun being worried, Doc says not to worry! Anyone have experience with his?

[Burnzie]

I agree with Judy. The CA125 is a better indicator of what is happening while on chemo than off.  It can be elevated for other reasons than ovarian cancer, so its best to learn to not fixate on that number.  CAT scans are the better measure.  I have also been told by my Doc that the number will raise before the disease is evident on the scan and many of them prefer to treat what shows on the scan so I echo what Judy has said.  Enjoy your lives and make plans to do the things you have always wanted to do!!  Congratulations for being in NED and have a great day!

Karen

[JC145]

Yes, the CA can go up and down.  The MD's will watch for a pattern of steadily rising #'s .. then when it gets too high, will do a scan to see if anything is happening.  For now, enjoy your lives and live  them to the fullest.

Judy