CA-125 Results Went Up: Should I be concerned?

I’m with you on the remaining positive part. When you don’t know how much time you might have left, you definitely don’t want to spend that time feeling down and lost. I think one of the morals of your story is that when you have something like Cancer, never let them set a medical test on your birthday, or any other special day.

Avastin only has kept my tumors from growing for much longer than it usually does. My oncologist has pointed that out. Thanks pal. I’m going back to see all my cousins in Minnesota at the end of July. I’m having a CT scan to check the tumors shortly before going. I have to admit that I hope I don’t find out that the tumors have quit responding to the Avastin before I go.

Thank you for the information on the repeat chemos. I have basically been told that when the tumors start growing again that there are a few other chemo drugs they can try but that my chances of surviving much more than another year or so are pretty slim. I’m working on preparing for the worst while hoping for the best and not giving in to that prognosis. I’m doing by best to stay positive as well and to maintain the belief that there is more hope out there than that. 🙏🏽

My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian cancer at the age of 75. Her CA 125 levels was 577 and she had tumors and enlarged lymph nodes all over her thoracic area. After 6 round of Chemo the growth of the tumors stop and started shrinking and her CA 125 level went to 13.9. Over the past 6 months the CA125 levels started rising again. A CT was done and no change in tumor size or lymph nodes. They are now up to 455. I asked her oncologist if they should do a CT of the neck and brain but he said it is very rare that ovarian cancer rarely goes to the brain, but he has offered not any explanation as to why her levels keep rising. I would appreciate any information concerning this matter.

I know it's been a year, but I just joined here and saw your post. I know it's a year later, but I did want to comment on one thing you mentioned. The oncologist said it was very rare that ovarian cancer to to the brain. That may be true, but it can happen, especially if your mother had enlarged lymph nodes. My brother had Stage IV bladder cancer and enlarged lymph nodes. Did chemo for little over a year. The last three CT scans he had were "clean". Then he started having balance issues and falling. Took him to ER when things got really bad. They did MRI and found tumor mass at base of brain and it was inoperable. He passed two months later. His oncologist told us, after it was found, that it was rare to spread to brain. Because of my concern, I advised my oncologist (I have Stage III-C OC) and she scheduled an MRI of neck and brain. Mine came out okay, but I still plan on asking for another one at some point, just in case. Because it's rare, they just don't regularly schedule scans of the brain - just the area where your cancer started. It seems once it's in the lymph nodes, it can go anywhere at anytime.

I was diagnosed with Stage III-C ovarian cancer in February 2022. I had complete hysterectomy, appendix removal, and partial stomach lining (omentum) removal in May 2022. Still in chemo (on my third combination of drugs - Avastin, Keytruda, and Cytoxan). This has been working well for me overall. I feel fine, and my PET scans show no activity or new implants. But, my CA-125 has been steadily rising since last October 2023. At that time I was diagnosed with three melanomas on my left leg. In December 2023, I was diagnosed with two melanomas and one borderline melanoma on upper body. Last month, I was diagnosed with two melanomas, one on back and one on arm. My CA-125 was in normal range until the melanomas started popping up. It has steadily increased since October and is now at 295 as of this week. My most recent PET scan, last week, indicated no activity or implants visible. My oncologist is monitoring the CA-125, but says they rely on imaging more than the blood test. It still worries me that CA-125 keeps rising. There doesn't seem to be any connection between melanomas and increasing CA-125. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? As I indicated, I feel fine, no pain, do normal activities; just some fatigue. Thanks for any input.

My mom is 2 years and 3 months post total hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. This past winter she had a perforated bowel which required her to have a temporary colostomy. She is scheduled to have reversal surgery next month. Her oncologist had sent her for regular follow up blood work and a CT scan but that was delayed because she came down with COVID. She did have the blood work done in April and her tumor marker was 30. She had repeat blood work done on Monday and the result is now 61. It this an indication that the cancer is back or can this just be because of inflammation due to her colostomy surgery?

I was diagnosed with Stage III-C ovarian cancer in February 2022. I had complete hysterectomy, appendix removal, and partial stomach lining (omentum) removal in May 2022. Still in chemo (on my third combination of drugs - Avastin, Keytruda, and Cytoxan). This has been working well for me overall. I feel fine, and my PET scans show no activity or new implants. But, my CA-125 has been steadily rising since last October 2023. At that time I was diagnosed with three melanomas on my left leg. In December 2023, I was diagnosed with two melanomas and one borderline melanoma on upper body. Last month, I was diagnosed with two melanomas, one on back and one on arm. My CA-125 was in normal range until the melanomas started popping up. It has steadily increased since October and is now at 295 as of this week. My most recent PET scan, last week, indicated no activity or implants visible. My oncologist is monitoring the CA-125, but says they rely on imaging more than the blood test. It still worries me that CA-125 keeps rising. There doesn't seem to be any connection between melanomas and increasing CA-125. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? As I indicated, I feel fine, no pain, do normal activities; just some fatigue. Thanks for any input.

Regarding seeing a PA rather than the doctor, that seems to be the norm in my area (for any kind of doc, not just oncologist). When I was first diagnosed, through the debulking surgery, and for several chemo treatments after that, I saw my oncologist. After that, I always see the PA before treatments, and only see the oncologist after a scan has been done. I think if I insisted on an appointment with the doctor, I could get it though, but I'm okay seeing the PA as I know any concerns will be discussed with the doctor. My CA-125 has been rising steadily since Oct last year, and no explanation so far. They tell me they are monitoring it, whatever that means. My doctor says they rely more on imaging, and since my last three PET scans have shown no sign of activity or new implants, she does not feel we need to change the course of treatment. But after my last CA-125 test last week, where it has risen to 295, I am concerned. I haven't done it yet, as I want to formulate some questions, but I will be sending a message to her on MyChart. Since I'm dealing with OC as well as melanomas that keep popping up (8 since October), it's a double whammy. My dermatologist has no explanation for so many melanomas coming out, as I have seen her regularly every six months for years for upper and lower body checks. I am now seeing her every 3 months (going for biopsy of four moles next week while still waiting to see surgeon for two she found last month). My oncologist does not feel there is any connection between OC and rising CA-125. I've read enough to know that a weakened immune system can cause melanomas, and that is probably what is driving mine (been on chemo over two years, plus got bad sunburns in my youth). I am still looking for reason for my rising CA-125 and haven't found an answer yet.

Diagnosed with OC in Feb 2022. I had chemo, surgery, more chemo and have continued on chemo since diagnosis. Meds have changed three times. My CA-125 has steadily risen since Oct 2023, when melanomas started popping out on me. Was on Avastin, Keytruda, & Cytoxan (started this cocktail in April 23). Had to stop Avastin for 8 wks due to melanoma surgeries in Nov 23 & Jan 24. Finally got back on full treatment in Feb 24. More melanomas. Avastin stopped again, as well as Cytoxan in July, for melanoma surgery. PET scans had been coming back with no activity up until end of May 24. Had PET scan first of Aug and there was "activity". Oncologist said drugs weren't working and we needed to change treatment. Choices were Taxol and Avastin, or Gemzar and Cisplatin. I opted to go with Gemzar/Cisplatin as I was told they would not have to stop the drugs if by chance any more melanoma surgeries came into play. By this this time I had gone five weeks with no treatment at all. I have had two cycles of treatments. Was due for third one today, but blood work was bad - low red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. Cipro prescribed to ward off infections. Due to go in next week and hopefully will be able to get treatment. My CA-125 came back at 2,847, which is only 125 points from where it was when diagnosed. We did explore clinical trial options at UVA, but opted at this time to go with the Gemzar/Cisplatin. I am devastated by the CA-125 reading and don't know what to do. Hopefully I have provided enough details about this cancer journey, without writing a book about it. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Diagnosed with OC in Feb 2022. I had chemo, surgery, more chemo and have continued on chemo since diagnosis. Meds have changed three times. My CA-125 has steadily risen since Oct 2023, when melanomas started popping out on me. Was on Avastin, Keytruda, & Cytoxan (started this cocktail in April 23). Had to stop Avastin for 8 wks due to melanoma surgeries in Nov 23 & Jan 24. Finally got back on full treatment in Feb 24. More melanomas. Avastin stopped again, as well as Cytoxan in July, for melanoma surgery. PET scans had been coming back with no activity up until end of May 24. Had PET scan first of Aug and there was "activity". Oncologist said drugs weren't working and we needed to change treatment. Choices were Taxol and Avastin, or Gemzar and Cisplatin. I opted to go with Gemzar/Cisplatin as I was told they would not have to stop the drugs if by chance any more melanoma surgeries came into play. By this this time I had gone five weeks with no treatment at all. I have had two cycles of treatments. Was due for third one today, but blood work was bad - low red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. Cipro prescribed to ward off infections. Due to go in next week and hopefully will be able to get treatment. My CA-125 came back at 2,847, which is only 125 points from where it was when diagnosed. We did explore clinical trial options at UVA, but opted at this time to go with the Gemzar/Cisplatin. I am devastated by the CA-125 reading and don't know what to do. Hopefully I have provided enough details about this cancer journey, without writing a book about it. Any suggestions? Thank you.