Ovarian cyst and elevated ca 125

[el281]

Hi!

I have a 5cm cyst in my left ovary.I have taken twice the ca125 test and the results were 90 (1st time) and 39.1 (2nd time). Is this change positive that it isn't cancer?My cyst contains only liquid (the doctor saw it at the ultrasound) and I am 22 years old.If someone has ovarian cancer the ca125 level is regular?Thank you!

[Jan214]

Water filled cysts are almost never cancerous.  Also, at your age it is so common for the CA 125 to be all over the place that I would not dwell at this point on the worst.  There are numerous reasons that it can be elevated all of which have nothing to do with cancer.  You said your cyst was "in" your ovary vs "on" your ovary.  Is it really in instead of on?  There can be a major difference in how they are treated.  Of course the cysts that are held on to your ovary by a stem are much easier to remove so I am hoping that is the case.  I am not sure what you mean by regular, but if you mean it is always the same than no.  Mine started out at 585 prior to surgery and went down to 8.5 after my first round of chemo.  They know mine is coming back in microscopic cells when mine rises which it has again and is up to 92 now and probably higher since I had the three weeks ago.
Please try not to worry as this is a very common condition for someone your age.  My daughter gets them all the time and I had them almost constantly from the age of 18-32.  They are no fun, but usually, almost always non cancerous.
Good luck and do keep us informed
Jan

[Sandymac]

Hi,
    I agree with both posts above..You may want to check out the top right of this page. There is a section called "Health Pages" and it has all sorts of good information re. Ovarian cysts..
     They are really very common in younger women and many times just dissolve on their own. Usually they are just monitored for a few months. But, I know it's scary just the same. Please try not to worry and keep us posted ( and the gals are right also about the CA-125.. Loads of things can throw the results out of whack.. ) .. Just wanted to echo their thoughts.. That's 3 for 3 !! Try to hang in there and

Let us know,
Sandy

[Morrowville]

I agree with Trudie, and don't think a CA 125 is too useful and should only be a general indicator.  You should know that ovarian cysts are 95 percent benign.  Your's is approx the size they determine whether or not to perform surgery to remove it, so your doctor may want to "keep track of it" every few months to see if it dissolves on it's own, or he may be pro-active and schedule one of the various types of surgery to remove it.  Then they look at the cyst and test it for cancer cells (although, again, they are mostly benign).  Make a list of things to discuss with your doctor.  Write them all down, and if you feel uncomfortable asking all the questions, bring someone with you.  You are a smart sounding lady, and I wish you the best of health.

Keep us posted!

Morrowville

[TrudieC]

I have learned a lot from the ladies here.  The CA-125 test can be elevated for other reasons (i.e. endometriosis, some cysts, etc.) and especially in pre-menopausal women it is unreliable.  It is primarily used as a measure after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and is more accurate in post menopausal women.  Until a biopsy is done they will not be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.  Have they scheduled a laparoscopy?  Good luck and please keep us posted.