Never steady CA 125

[Mobydick]

My wife currently in 3rd reoccurance, started on taxotarre, but stopped working CA 125 rose from 150 to 700 in 2 weeks, started Gemzar on a system of receiving on day 1 repeat on day 8 and starts again after day 21. Problem is although CA dropped to 500, 125 80, then rose back to 90, to drop back to 70, now rose for 2nd time to 90, remember she is tested 3 times a session, anyone has any idea whats going on? Tks Steve

[MickeyVicki]

Steve,  it is my understanding that the "small" changes are not significant.  The large changes, going from 150  up to 700, or 550  down to 125 are significant changes.  The small changes from 80 to 90 to 70 and back and forth from there sometimes result from conditions unrelated to the chemotherapy or the cancer, like a simple case of the sniffles.  Her CA-125 level will have to be watched closely, as you have noticed.  This frequent checking is necessary to determine if this particular therapy is still working.  This type of short-term regimen is very taxing on the individual, but then again, that is the very reason why it can work on the cancer as well.

Anyway, the good news is that it appears the treatment is currently working, if her CA-125 has dropped so much. Has the doctor stated the level of CA-125 that he is seeking with this treatment, and how long the treatment is expected to last if it continues to work?  Has the doctor stated at what level of increase will the treatment be considered 'no longer effective'?  It seems that that your wife's doctor would have provided you with more information on this subject.

[sueg]

Crikey Steve what a lot of tests! I bet its quite usual for the CA125 to yo-yo a bit though,mine probably would if it was done that often.When I went for my second session of caelyx tuesday,my CA125 had come down to 600 from 838-so I'm hoping its started to kick in,I shall know in a couple of weeks when I see what my oncologist thinks.Here's hoping!?! Give my love to Violet. Sue.

[Mobydick]

the system my wife is on with Gemzar, is a 21 dat cycle, day 1  blood tests and then chemo, repeat on day 8, the starting again  on day 21. Unfortueately this does not give a lot of time to recover, she just start to fel better after the 1st session, then has to go back for the day 8 session, then a 14 day break before it all satrtrs again. her Dr tests each session, so 3 tests ever 21 days. Steve

[sueg]

Hi Steve,
Do you think maybe they are testing her CA125 too often?
I only have mine done before each chemo session.I'm on caelyx so its done just once every four weeks.I would have thought your CA125 probably wanders up and down the scale a bit over a month.Is your wife's being done almost every week then-or have I got this wrong? Sue.