Slowly rising CA125 level

[smith74]

I was diagnosed Feb'05 with Stage IIIC, had total hysterectomy and debulking surgery with some bowel resection, followed by 8 rounds of taxol and carboplatin.  CA125 presurgery was 2520, which dropped to 22 after 3 rounds of chemo.  After the final round of chemo Aug'05, CA125 was 11 and CT scan was clear.

Since then, my CA125 results have been:

Oct 05 - 14
Dec 05 - 10
Feb 06 - 11
Apr 06 - 13
Jun 06 - 15
Sep 06 - 19
Dec 06 - 24
Mar 07 - 27
Jun 07 - 29

Each of these test results was accompanied by a physical exam by my gynecological oncologist.  Though I am grateful for this stretch of CA125 readings that are within the normal range, I am wondering whether the slowly rising results could be indicating very slow recurrence.  What is your opinion?  Thank you so much.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi there,

Thank you for your complete information. I understand your worry. I agree with Ang as well. It can cause alot of anxiety to see those numbers go up even when they are in the normal range.

If your Ct scan is normal, i would continue to follow closely. if you have not had a recent CT scan, you should ask your doctor about getting one.

It could be that there are few ovarian cancer cells that are secreting the CA 125 protein but are too small in number to cause illness or be seen on xray. The question is, at what point does one try to get more information?
Ultimately with a normal exam and xray, the only way to get more info is surgery such as a laparoscopy.

best wishes

[Ang80]

Hi

Your story is identical to my mum.
DX March 2005 with OVCA stage III.
CA125 12 after surgery and chemo and remained at 12 until Jan 07 when it was 22 and then in April it was 25.
My mum has physical exams and the GynOnc says the number is still within normal.

When is your next CA125 test?

I think they look for a pattern in CA125 such as doubling or trebling of the number or if you have any signs or symptoms.

Take Care

Ang