CA125 blood test - routine for an ovarian cyst?

[katie416]

Hi everyone I’m hoping someone might be able to offer me some reassurance over the weekend until my appointment with my GP on Tuesday.
After having pelvic pain for about 4/5 weeks my doctor referred me for an ultrasound which was yesterday. Within 2hrs of the scan, I’d had a phone call from my GP surgery asking me to book in for a blood test and then a follow up appointment to discuss my results.
I’ve had my blood taken this morning and the nurse explained that on the scan report they’d advised a CA125 blood test which finds markers of ovarian cancer. I’m honestly crapping myself. I don’t know how I’m going to make it to Tuesday for my results, I feel like I can’t function. I’ve had cysts before and I’ve never had to have a blood test after they’ve found them, certainly not for cancer so I don’t believe it to be ‘just routine’ but is it? Have the guidelines changed? Just to add I’m only 26 so I know it is rare but I also know that it’s not impossible.

I also had to have one for ovarian pain along with a scan. Mine was clear. I think it’s quite standard. Hope it is all ok for you

Just to let you know, endometriosis can make your CA125 result high too.

My sister and friend both did, for ovarian cysts in their late twenties / early thirties. I believe it is routine. Hope all goes well.

CA125 is a marker for ovarian cancer yes, it picked mine up last year aged 36. BUT, it’s not overly reliable as plenty of benign things like endo or fibroids can raise it too, and conversely in some cancer cases it doesn’t raise at all!

CA125 can be a marker of ovarian cysts.

I had a blood test that looked for that about 10 years ago, when I had persistent abdominal pain and bloating. Mine actually was raised and I was sent for a scan but it was all fine.

I don't know if the guidelines have changed, but it's possible they have (or are being better observed)

I would see it as completely routine to have this test

And yes, mild elevation is consistent with endometriosis and "chocolate" cysts (which aren't remotely sweet or appetising - it's a type of cyst which has endometriosis tissue). For it to be cancer, the CA125 is typically very high indeed (over 1000?)

Think it is fairly routine for CA125 test with ovarian cyst. I had it with mine. Good luck OP xx

I’m being sent for an ultrasound because a routine blood test picked up CA125 was higher than normal and my mum has ovarian cancer. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about though, it can be lots of things according to Dr Google - www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/ca-125-test

Other things besides ovarian cancer that can cause your CA-125 level to rise are:

Diverticulitis
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Inflammatory bowel disease
Liver disease
Menstruation
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Peritonitis
Pregnancy
Recent surgery
Ruptured ovarian cyst

I hope it goes OK for you!

Thank you everyone for your responses, it’s made me feel somewhat reassured, but I think I’m going to be anxious until I get my results 😅Hopefully they will come back okay and I can just put this to bed because I have had a weekend of hell with the worrying.

@AGreatUsername Sorry to hear you were diagnosed at such a young age, hope you are okay now?

@Christmascracker0 Aww your poor mum, really sorry to hear that. Is she doing okay?

Just wanted to post an update in case anyone comes across this thread in the future. I’m ok 😊Saw my doctor today and she explained to me what they saw on my scan, as I was told, it was a cyst on my right ovary and it looked like it had been bleeding, which she has reassured me is completely normal. My CA125 levels came back at 10 and that along with my scan, they are not at all concerned about it being cancerous. She said they have to do that blood test for anything they see on the ovary, so completely routine. She has referred me to gynae which is also routine and she reassured me that there is nothing concerning. So pleased. Xx

❤️

Glad to hear your good news OP x

Phew, really glad for you OP. My local health board do a CA125 as routine, for every ovarian cyst found. I think it's because they are more aware of ovarian cancer these days.

Totally routine. You may have one everytime you see someone, just so they can spot any changes.
Glad to hear things sound positive. Good luck.