Connect
How long for tumor markers to lower?
Hi!
I was recently diagnosed with Stage IA grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary after a full abdominal hysterectomy and removal of a 18cm tumor. Initially, the operating room pathology showed a high grade serous tumor, which my oncologist thought was in line with my "very elevated" tumor markers. I know I'm extremely lucky to be Stage 1A. The current treatment plan for me is monitoring my tumor markers every 3 months. My next round of bloodwork is February 2.
Pre-surgery (November 2025) , my numbers were:
CA19-9 = 17,400.0
CA125 = 423.0
CEA = 7.9
My last markers (Dec. 12) were:
CA19-9 = 2,680
CA125 = 154.0
CEA = 2.4
Obviously, my markers are going down. My oncologist is fantastic and I trust her, so that's not the issue. I guess because all I can do is wait, I am worried we're not doing enough.
My question (and thank you if you've read this far!): How long does it take for tumor markers to return to "normal"? I'd love to hear any experiences with this. I'm so grateful to have found this group! Thank you!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.
Connect
Hi there,
I am assuming you have had a CT scan, if they were able to determine that the cancer is stage 1 A. According to my oncologist, CT scans are she focuses on. Levels of ca markers will drop after chemo. CA 125 will be the most dramatic and the first decline of the three. The levels of Ca 19-9 can indicate non-cancerous lesions and inflammation; ditto for 15-3. Of these two, ca 19-9 is always highest on my scans. The ca 15-3 bounds up and down. I've asked repeatedly what all this means and the oncologist, bless her patience with me, says they focus on the CT scans. So, she can't explain why the ct scan show NED but my blood work shows rising ca 19-9 and the presence of ca 15-3.
I'm hoping that you'll receive more ct scans, or other imaging tests, since imaging can see the tumors, or lack thereof.
Hope this helps. You can google what I've summarized, for more detail.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThe internet might tell you the half-lives (the time it takes for half of the marker to disappear) of these markers.
I looked up the half life of CA125 once and found a paper from a Japanese group that looked at CA125 in women in exactly your situation: after apparently complete removal of an ovarian cancer. It wasn't a single number: it dropped faster in women whose CA125 was really high to start with. But the half-life was pretty long, about two weeks. So you seem about on schedule for CA125.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jesaka Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and to our support group. You'll receive support and answers here. I'm glad to know that you have a good oncologist that you trust. That means so much when one is diagnosed with cancer. I felt the same about my GYN-Oncologist.
Is your treatment plan surveillance with monitoring and no other treatment for the present?
@naturegirl5 Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
Yes, my treatment plan surveillance with monitoring and no other treatment for the present. It's one of the reasons I have been extra concerned about how long it might take for my markers to lower.
@val64 This is so, so helpful--and interesting! I had no idea that these markers had half-lives. Thank you for sharing this.
@cookercooker Always so much to learn with this stuff! Thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate it very much.