CA 125 elevated - worried. Anyone else had this and it's been benign?

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

Just had a test result back and my CA 125 level is slightly elevated. Just looked it up and it's a cancer marker! I am now panicking slightly and wondering if other people have had this and it's turned out to be something else??

Any replies very gratefully received!

Maybe this would be better posted in the health section? Will find out how to get it moved.

Sorry you are worried!

What's the next step? What caused you to require the blood test?

Ca 125 can be elevated because of inflammation through endometriosis or infection. Mine was 5 times normal because I had a huge cyst that was rubbing against other organs. Not malignant.

Are you having an ultrasound? It’s good that they’re being thorough tho’ I know how anxious you must feel.

I had a raised level entirely due to an ovarian cyst. The cyst disappeared by the next monthly cycle and my Ca125 level dropped back down to acceptable levels.

Please try not to worry too much - if you're being investigated that's a good thing because if there is anything, the earlier it's caught the easier it is to treat, though the chances are, like many women, you've just got a cyst that is messing with levels.

good luck.

Thanks for your replies. Thymeout - sorry you had the cyst, but reassuring to know it was benign.

I actually didn't realise they were going to do this test, WhatIsThis, I thought it was just hormones. Wanted to know if I was close to the menopause yet. Guess the GP was just being thorough.

They've given me an appointment to speak to the GP next week, and when I queried this they said that if it had been marked 'urgent' they would have got me in sooner. The result did say "only mildly raised".

I'll find out next week what the next step is. But rather concerned now...almost wish I hadn't found out!

Mine was raised due to infection. It went back to normal (which might be 0 but cannot remember) once that was resolved. Due to other stuff I had to be discussed at a multi disciplinary meeting (theyre usually for suspected cancer), but that was a formality as there was nothing to suggest it was cancer.

CA-125 isn’t a cancer marker - it’s a marker that can be raised for a variety of reasons. Infections, cysts, endometriosis, ovarian cancer and other things. My CA-125 has been high every time it’s been tested and I definitely don’t have cancer. When my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer it wasn’t all that high. It’s not a reliable indicator of anything but can suggest more tests that need to be done.

Mine was 115 a few years ago. I'd gone to GP (first time in 8 years) feeling very tired. Blood tests done and that came back. No abdominal symptoms. Had internal scan, 2 week cancer referral, biopsy, more blood tests. Still raised, biopsy fine. 2 months later had another internal scan - nothing wrong. CA125 still raised. Discharged and told had naturally higher than normal CA125!

Not sure why my GP even requested that blood test, but tiredness was due to simple anaemia as hb had dropped to 10.3. It caused a lot of worry for no reason.

Do you have any abdominal problems? I'd try no to worry.

Thank you for all your replies - I feel a tad better now. It looks like I'll just speak to the GP and she can tell me where we go from here. beenandgone - you're right, the sooner it's caught (whatever it is) the better. I have been having more symptoms lately with my cycle, but put that down to being peri-menopausal, hence seeing the GP in the first place.

14allall - glad to hear that your high levels didn't mean anything in particular was amiss.

Yes mine was more than 100 last year, benign tumour and intramural fibroids. It is not reliable as a cancer marker in pre menopausal women.

I was referred in the 14 day fast track and the consultant was slightly cross that the word cancer had even men mentioned to me. It wasn’t on his radar at all.

Yes. It was due to fibroids.