1. < Gynecologic Cancers

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

Posted by stparker54 @stparker54, Aug 26, 2020

The results of my CA-125 tumor marker test increased from 16.8 to 20.3. This is the fourth time I've had a tumor marker test and it's the first time there was an increase in the results. How concerned should I be?

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1morgan | @1morgan | Mar 18, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @1morgan, welcome. I moved your question about rising levels of CA 125 to this existing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @1morgan, welcome. I moved your question about rising levels of CA 125 to this existing discussion:
- - CA-125 Results Went Up: Should I be concerned? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ca-125-results-rose/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with members like @stparker54 @starko @miriam57 @odette @carole2022 @cctoo @smalayman4016 @drterry @egins1208 @chrissiebee and others.

From Mayo Clinic:
"Rising CA 125 levels MAY indicate that ovarian cancer has come back after treatment. Regular monitoring of CA 125 has NOT been shown to improve outcomes for those with ovarian cancer and may lead to additional and unnecessary rounds of chemotherapy or other treatments."

Usually further testing and monitoring are necessary to confirm what is going on. Has your oncologist suggested further testing?

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I see her on Monday I hope to have soon news of what my next step is.

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1morgan | @1morgan | Mar 19, 2023
In reply to @katycot "It is normal to worry a little when this happens. If you don’t have any symptoms,..." + (show)
@katycot

It is normal to worry a little when this happens. If you don’t have any symptoms, and it’s only a small blip up perhaps hold your breath and wait for the next test and hopefully it will be back down to the lower level again. Many things can cause some inflammation which result in a brief uptick.

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That sound great. I am freaking out and hoped I can calm my mind but its so hard.
Thank you for your advice

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1 reply
1morgan | @1morgan | Mar 19, 2023
In reply to @1morgan "That sound great. I am freaking out and hoped I can calm my mind but its..." + (show)
@1morgan

That sound great. I am freaking out and hoped I can calm my mind but its so hard.
Thank you for your advice

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Sorry wrong reply I am also hope and praying for everyone god bless

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smalayman4016 | @smalayman4016 | Mar 31, 2023

My wife’s doctor watches her CA-125 closely and adjusts her chemo based on this and her scans and other tests. I would suggest discussing this with your oncologist.

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1 reply
1morgan | @1morgan | Mar 31, 2023
In reply to @katycot "It is normal to worry a little when this happens. If you don’t have any symptoms,..." + (show)
@katycot

It is normal to worry a little when this happens. If you don’t have any symptoms, and it’s only a small blip up perhaps hold your breath and wait for the next test and hopefully it will be back down to the lower level again. Many things can cause some inflammation which result in a brief uptick.

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Got new results my cancer agent is 925 two weeks before 773 .but both the catscan and pet scan showed nothing .what could that be?
Thank you

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1 reply
1morgan | @1morgan | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @smalayman4016 "My wife’s doctor watches her CA-125 closely and adjusts her chemo based on this and her..." + (show)
@smalayman4016

My wife’s doctor watches her CA-125 closely and adjusts her chemo based on this and her scans and other tests. I would suggest discussing this with your oncologist.

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I have they say they won't treat a number untill they find out wheres it coming from.

I think its crazy waiting another four weeks to see if anything shows up, it jumps over two hundred points in two weeks waiting just make it worse and am not sure where to go next. I afraid in four weeks it jumps to thousands. What can I do?

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1 reply
1morgan | @1morgan | Apr 1, 2023

Doctor says I have to wait till they find out where it is they don't treat a number. that just making me crazy. By four week I just can't image how high its going to be if within teo weeks it went from the seven hundreds to nine hundreds on Friday. Very confused.

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1 reply
smalayman4016 | @smalayman4016 | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @1morgan "Doctor says I have to wait till they find out where it is they don't treat..." + (show)
@1morgan

Doctor says I have to wait till they find out where it is they don't treat a number. that just making me crazy. By four week I just can't image how high its going to be if within teo weeks it went from the seven hundreds to nine hundreds on Friday. Very confused.

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Have they done any scans ?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @1morgan "Got new results my cancer agent is 925 two weeks before 773 .but both the catscan..." + (show)
@1morgan

Got new results my cancer agent is 925 two weeks before 773 .but both the catscan and pet scan showed nothing .what could that be?
Thank you

Jump to this post

@1morgan, I know this can be very unnerving. It sounds like your doctors are monitoring you closely and have done further investigations with the PET scan and CT scan. It's encouraging that they show nothing. However, your team wants to keep a close eye on the CA-125. I know the changing numbers are increasing your worry. I hope the close monitoring you are getting is helping to give your assurance that they are keeping a careful eye on everything.

A number of conditions that aren't cancerous can cause an elevated CA 125 level, including:
- Endometriosis
- Liver disease
- Menstruation
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pregnancy
- Uterine fibroids

Has your team also monitored your liver function and for pelvic inflammation?

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1 reply
1morgan | @1morgan | Apr 2, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@1morgan, I know this can be very unnerving. It sounds like your doctors are monitoring you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@1morgan, I know this can be very unnerving. It sounds like your doctors are monitoring you closely and have done further investigations with the PET scan and CT scan. It's encouraging that they show nothing. However, your team wants to keep a close eye on the CA-125. I know the changing numbers are increasing your worry. I hope the close monitoring you are getting is helping to give your assurance that they are keeping a careful eye on everything.

A number of conditions that aren't cancerous can cause an elevated CA 125 level, including:
- Endometriosis
- Liver disease
- Menstruation
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pregnancy
- Uterine fibroids

Has your team also monitored your liver function and for pelvic inflammation?

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Thank you for taking the time.
They have not liver, or pelvic inflammation. i will ask about them in my next visit.

Thank you

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