ca125 levels

[carrie933]

hi

can i ask has anyone had a level of 212 and not had cancer ? this is worrying me because i am reading posts from ladies who have cancer and have readings of 57 etc/

I understand that other things can distorit it in pre menopausal women .

I have 2 cysts on my ovaries= i simple and and onw with an irregular edge and some focal thickeninG ( which my GP was not unduley concerned about until I got this blood test back) and a thickened uterus with 2 fibroids - could these give this raised level?

i am going to have surgety to remove the cysts ( and ovary if necessary) on 28th Oct but would love to hear if others have had anything similar

[hopeshell]

I think that is a great sign.  Usually, the CA-125 that was high with cancer would not drop without treatment.  But, a CA-125 that was high with a cyst rupture would get lesser and lesser over time.  So, in my opinion, yes, that is a good sign.  However, because the CA-125 can even be normal with malignancies, it still doesn't rule out cancer by the fact that is is lesser.  You can have several different things going on at one time in there (ie. endometriosis, cysts, inflammation, etc.) but also have developed a cancerous area in the tumor.  I would say your CA-125 elevation to that higher level was probably a result of a cyst rupture or some other pelvic inflammation.  I'm glad you are on the road to getting it removed!  Hang in there!

[carrie933]

Hi

just to add on to my original post - I have just had a pre op discussion with my gyn/onc who did a further ca125 last week he has now today told me the level has gone down from 212 to 65 ??? although I am really pleased with this I am aware it is still nearly double what is should be ! and I obviously still have this cyst ( irregular edges and focal thickening) we feel more confident now biut am still concerned that this could still be bad news - what do you think? if it was cancer do the levels drop without treatment ever?

I trust you ladies have so so much knowledge - and history on this forum - and this was a question i forgot to ask the specialist !

[carrie933]

thanks ladies i really appreicate eveyone who takes time to answer questions others have ! I am absolutely hooked on this forum - it is so so informative

thanks will keep you posted and thanks so much again  x

[corky13]

Hi there,
I am sorry that you are so worried, but I totally understand. I have been assured by more than 4 doctors over the last couple of years that my slightly elevated ca 125 (ie. 41-58) was of no significance. I even had a laparoscopy 6 months after the first raised test. The level at that time was 52. The only thing that was seen during surgery was a small spot of endometriosis. I have been trying to figure out my lower back pain since then. I went to the doctor (new doctor) and she decided to run a follow up ca 125. Well this one is 142. I am scared. I have had at least 8 ultrasounds, 3 cat scans, 2 lower back mri's, and multiple other tests over this time period (ie. last couple of years). My last ultrasound was in July of this year and show bilateral simple cysts. I just don't understand what is going on. I have an appointment this Friday with a gyn/onc. Let me know how things go for you and I hope you are feeling better.

[hopeshell]

Hi there,

Yes, I have heard of several women having a high CA-125 and surgery confirmed a benign result.  For example, there was one woman with a CA-125 into the thousands and she had polycystic ovarian syndrome but no ovarian cancer.  Inflammation that happens for a number of reasons can raise the CA-125.  Please follow up with a gynecologic oncologist to check it out but try not to worry and know that it is possible it is benign.  Let us know how it goes.

Shelly