CA-125 is higher than normal

[anu_126]

Hi, I m anu. I m 25years old and not yet married. Some days before I went for a regular health check up and came to know that I have a cyst of size 3.6cmX4.2cmX4.3cm in my left ovary. Then I went to a doctor & she immediately suggested for a CA-125 blood test. The result was 108.3. My doctor told me that I might need some surgery followed by a biopsy of the cyst. Here I felt that I need a second opinion. So I changed my doctor. This time she told me for another CA-125 & USG of lower abdomen immediately after my menstruation.  The result is something like that no cyst has been found in any of the ovaries and no infection in urine. I also went for Mammography where no abnormality is found. But the CA-125 is still high i.e. 67.25. Here I also want to mention that I have not any type of symptoms like pelvic pain, irregular menstruation, nothing at all. Now my doctor has told me lots of tests like High Resolution USG of Breast, LFT, PP sugar, LSH & FSH, USG of upper abdomen etc. Can anybody tell me why this CA-125 is higher? I m very much anxious and I cant disclose this to my parents as they both are very much ill. Please help me.

[kcd86]

Hi, I am an RN and my wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010. Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx). The test you describe CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone. This is the type my wife was Dx with granulosa cell ca. These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass as it will rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be.  Please make sure they drew your blood for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
Since there is some suspicion based on your TV-sonogram I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients.  This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin

[shewrites]

The CA-125 is considered unreliable 1) before you have a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 2) for younger women who have not gone through menopause.  High readings can be caused by various kids of inflammation that have nothing to do with cancer as well.

The only way to get a diagnosis -- or know for sure that you don't have ovarian cancer -- is to have a biopsy of the cyst.   The odds are in your favor because most cysts (nine out of ten or more) are benign and because you are young.  

Sounds like your doctors are thorough, and that's good, because you want to be sure.  The cyst is pretty small, but it certainly should be watched.  

Good luck and come back if you have more questions.  I hope others will add some comments as well.