should I be worried...

Hi all... I first want to say that this site ROCKS!! I just have a question... My CA125 went from 12 after surgery to the lowest 9.3 and the latest after my last chemo treatment was 9.9. My onc office is happy with the result, but should I be worried about it going up? I think it is ok but there is a small doubt in my head. I guess there will always be doubts about stuff like that. tsuli

Anything under 35 is considered normal and nothing to worry about according to my doctor. I had huge cysts on my ovaries before my hysterectomy. The cysts were discovered while I was going through breast cancer surgery and treatment so my GYN wanted me to wait for the hysterectomy till I recovered some from radiation. I had the CA125 twice in 3 months and both were very low. The second test was a few points higher than the second and doctor assured me it was quite normal so I would say you should not be worried at all.

CA125 can vary up to 4 points if two tests were taken off one sample of blood. This is well within that range. For instance, off the same tube of blood two readings could be say 9 and 11.5 and this would be not unexpected.

Your doctor and you will watch for a steady increase, or doubling of C125, which could spell trouble.

Hi Tsuli1,
Glad you stopped by again.
As the others already mentioned, you are doing just fine with very respectable CA125 numbers. Sadly those "doubts" and Cancerhead seem to always lurk around us cancer survivors. Looks like your are in very good hands and pls never hesitate to call your doctor especially when you want some reassurance that all is going well.
Don't be a stranger here either.
s,
peggiesue

My CA-125 has fluctuated between 9 and 12 since the end of my last chemo last May. Yea, I know what you mean though, any jump upwards always makes my heart skip a beat (not that I need any more medical problems!!!).

Unless it starts trending upwards, and stays going up, you really don't have to much to worry about.

Welcome to the "Dancing With NED" club -- from one multiple cancer survivor to another!!!!

As has been said, the doctor's look for a trend. There is that plus or minus factor Margaret321 mentioned and this is well within that range.

You can sit back and relax until that next checkup time. Enjoy your dance with NED, we all love sharing him.

Just to clear up a misconception.
Once diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the norm of under 35 is no longer of value.
A consistent upward trend, or a doubling of a value is of concern.
If a patient's ca 125 trends from 12 to 18 to 24 it may be time for closer monitering and a scan.
And like Ellen said a 4 pt deviation can happen with the exact same tube of blood.
Your tiny trend up is absolutely nothing to worry about.

oxoxox karenann

Thanks to all of you.... All of you helped me out and told that worry to leave... I thought that it was ok and when the docs office called me with the results I was not at home where all of the prior results were. When I looked at them I thought it was ok but I knew all of you would reassure me... My gyn/oncs office says they do not worry as long as it is below 10. So I am good until May (next checkup). Thanks again.... tsuli