1. < Gynecologic Cancers
Profile picture for stparker54

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Profile picture for ccwill
ccwill | @ccwill | Sep 15, 2024
In reply to @jaynus55 "Diagnosed with OC in Feb 2022. I had chemo, surgery, more chemo and have continued on..." + (show)
Profile picture for jaynus55 @jaynus55

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.

Jump to this post

Dear @jaynus55 -

Questions to ask your doctors:

1. What is the intensity and location of the PET scan activity?
2. Are there any noticeable abnormalities or lesions?
3. How does the PET scan correlate with CA-125 levels?
4. What are the next steps in diagnosis and treatment? Can you use Keytruda alone when you're fit enough to do so?

My Oncologist said PET scans can sometimes produce false-positive results, showing abnormal activity in areas where there is no cancer. This can occur due to:

1. Inflammation or infection
2. Benign conditions (e.g., endometriosis, fibroids)
3. Recent surgery or radiation therapy
4. Certain medications (e.g., steroids, blood pressure medications)

False-positive results can lead to:

1. Unnecessary further testing or procedures
2. Anxiety and stress
3. Delayed or inappropriate treatment

In your case, the Oncologist might be cautious due to:

1. The high CA-125 level, which could indicate ovarian cancer
2. The potential for false-positive results on the PET scan

To minimize false positives, your Oncologist might recommend:

1. Alternative imaging tests (e.g., MRI, CT scan with contrast)
2. Biopsy or tissue sampling for definitive diagnosis
3. Close monitoring of CA-125 levels and symptoms
4. Consideration of other diagnostic tools (e.g., ultrasound, endoscopy)

REPLY
Profile picture for ccwill
ccwill | @ccwill | Sep 15, 2024
In reply to @jaynus55 "Diagnosed with OC in Feb 2022. I had chemo, surgery, more chemo and have continued on..." + (show)
Profile picture for jaynus55 @jaynus55

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.

Jump to this post

Please find another source from MD Anderson:
https://www.mdanderson.org/content/dam/mdanderson/documents/for-physicians/algorithms/cancer-treatment/ca-treatment-endometrial-web-algorithm.pdf
Warmest regards,
CC

REPLY
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 18, 2024
In reply to @jaynus55 "Diagnosed with OC in Feb 2022. I had chemo, surgery, more chemo and have continued on..." + (show)
Profile picture for jaynus55 @jaynus55

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.

Jump to this post

@jaynus55 In your initial post you indicated that you plan to see your oncologist this week. Did that appointment happens as planned and if yes, do you have any new information about your treatment plan?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for jaynus55
jaynus55 | @jaynus55 | Sep 18, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@jaynus55 In your initial post you indicated that you plan to see your oncologist this week...." + (show)
Profile picture for Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5

@jaynus55 In your initial post you indicated that you plan to see your oncologist this week. Did that appointment happens as planned and if yes, do you have any new information about your treatment plan?

Jump to this post

I did not see my oncologist. I only went in for pre-chemo blood work. They just called me and told me my white blood cell count is still too low, 1.4, to have a treatment tomorrow. I actually only see my oncologist after a PET scan has been done, which is after three cycles of treatments. In the interim, I see the PA. I am on a two weeks on and one off for treatments. Treatments for two Thursdays in a row, and then off a week. So far I have only had one cycle on my new drugs, Gemzar and Cisplatin. I understood they were "potent", so I'm sure that's what has brought my WBC count down so low. It's frustrating as this will put me at four weeks with no treatment of any kind, and my CA-125 has skyrocketed. I'm still waiting for the result on this week's CA-125 reading. I understand they can't give me a treatment with my WBC so low as it is too risky and dangerous, but it is still worrisome to me, knowing these cancer cells are spreading. I just don't know what to do.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.