125 Test

Recently I was diagnosed with an abnormal mass in my abdomen. The doctors put me on two different meds for infection and three days later did a CA-125 test for ovarian cancer. I have all the symptoms of the cancer. Doctors want to do surgery, but don't seem to be in any hurry to remove the mass. Do you think I should be getting a second opinion?
When you are on antibiotics, does this affect the outcome of the CA-125 test results?

What is the CA 125 Test?

The CA 125 test is a blood test that determines the level of an antigen in the blood which is known to be a tumor marker. It is commonly used to monitor the state of the disease in ovarian cancer patients, because 80-90% of women with ovarian cancer in its later stages will have signs of the antigen in their blood.

Why isn't the test commonly used as a screening test?

Unfortunately, the test is not as sensitive or specific as would be ideal. This means that there are "false positive" and "false negative" results associated with the test, and at unacceptably high rates to be used as a general screening test (as, for example, mammograms and Pap tests are used).

2006-09-13 12:58:55 by sunny

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I'm having surgery next week to get the actual results. Gosh I am so afraid. I'm trying to have courage but I can't believe this.

235 is 'high' compared to the baseline of 0 to 35, however MANY things cause an elevated CA-125 level (many have nothing to do with ovarian cancer). I find it curious (distrubing) they are scheduling you for surgery based solely on a CA-125 reading....typically ultrasound and then CT-scan are in order. Surgery is only done when tumors are seen and they need to 'debulk' (i.e., cut away the visible cancer).

CA-125 is only approved by the FDA for 'monitoring' your treatment progress, NOT for diagnosis. Sounds like malpractice to me if that's all they based this on.

Here is a good discussion board to get involved in: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/OvarianCan cer/wwwboard.html

2008-05-22 11:14:27 by thelovegame2008

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My sister-n-law has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had a pap smear about 2 years ago. Maybe if the CA-125 blood test was part of the normal check-up woman could be diagnosed sooner. And why isn't there more information given to women to tell them that a pap smear does not test for ovarian cancer just cervical cancer.

The CA-125 test is not designed to be a screening test to detect ovarian cancer. I wish we had one. This test is strictly to monitor a patient. It is not a confirmation test either. Diagnostic is strictly on histology/ pathology samples.

The are also a good percentage of Ovarian cancers that do not produce that specific tumor marker.
I am sorry to say this, but right now there is nothing better to screen than a thin- pap test.

I am 20+ year in the medical technology field

2006-10-12 07:26:22 by MrsBear

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my sister has ovarian cancer, and one of the tests to see if your at risk is a blood test called ca-125. I would like to know what the safe levels are and not safe levels.

A normal result would be <21 U/mL.

Elevated CA 125 serum levels may be seen in patients with ovarian, lung, pancreatic, and uterine malignancies, as well as certain non-malignant disorders such as pericarditis, cirrhosis, hepatitis and other hepatic disorders, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts. Elevated levels have also been reported to occur during menstruation and the first trimester of pregnancy.

In patients who are, or have been, treated for cancer, a doubling of CA 125 levels suggests disease progression or recurrence, whereas a halving of levels suggests a therapeutic response.

I hope that answers your questions and good luck to your sister.

2008-01-01 22:10:25 by marpad2004

regarding stage 4 ovarian cancer. It is in colon they had to recontruct it. then it has two spots on liver, spleen. The Ca-125 only went down from 700 to 600 after two chemo treatments. Now after 3 treatments it has gone down 2/3 from the 700 number. Is that good? thanks

Yes, it means that the chemo is actively working on the tumor. !! Great news.

2009-02-19 15:22:41 by motherofthree