CA 125 count

[Trisha58]

I have had 2 cycles of Gemzar chemo and today I started the 3rd cycle.  My CA 125 count is going down gradually--it is now 83 down from 100 but I was just wondering what happens when I finish the chemo and my count is down but doesn't stay down when I finish the treatments?  I had a CT scan but nothing was detected on that (probably too small to detect), but my counts were continually rising and my dr told me if it got to 100 my cancer would be reoccurring.  The highest the count got was 109 but the chemo is obviously working because the count is coming down.  Any ideas or experiences would be appreciated.

[Cindy809]

Unfortunately it didn't work for me either!!!  It was my second line of treatment.  I did 12 cycles of Gemzar/Carbo day 1 then day 8 another gemzar.  The numbers came down very quickly.  I have agressive cancer!  My Assay showed that gemzar was a good choice.  Well, the numbers rose as soon as I stopped.  Now I'm have a recurrence in new places including my lungs!!!  My kidney was in trouble so they put a stent.  I'm to start cisplatin/taxol this wednesday and my doctor said it will be hard.  He is going to do two treatments then scans, etc. as long as my body can take it.  It will be the third time I've been on a platinum drug in the last 18 months.  I think the carbo brought the numbers down.  I also know of another friend that gemzar did the same thing to her.  As soon as she stopped her cancer spread again.  Sorry for the bad news!  I hope you have better luck with the drug and I would address this with your doctor.  My husband has read that it works for 20% of ovca patients.  Some get long remissions.  

[jlock]

I was on Gemzar for 5 cycles,and when I had to stop because of side effects it was 15.  Then it gradually went back up and within 4 months I was back on chemo again,this time Topotecan.  My Onc goes by my ct scans....the ca-125 test is a good indicator for me,but he will not treat until it showes up on other scans.  Good luck((((hugz)))~~Joanne

[msjazz]

I was on gemzar/carbo from Nov. until May. My xa went from 240 range to 23. Then in May it went right back up. She did 3 more treatments to be sure, but it went to 360.The Ct was cleat. I am now on doxil, had 2 treatments.