I have a bulky 6cm cystic ovary and have been advised to have the CA 125 test done? Is this common? Hi

[MochaBear]

Hi everyone this is my very first post on here.. so, i had some dull mild pain in the right side of my lower abdomen and thought i would get it checked out, doctor then made an appointment to have a scan which i did yesterday. Today i got a phone call asking me to book in for a blood test and that i have been made an appointment to see a gynaecologist after 2 weeks. When i looked on my nhs app to see what blood test i have been booked in for i found a report saying "fast track referral for suspected gynaecological cancer" and also a CA 125 blood test request... i am panicking because when i checked what this is, it is done to check for the level of protein to see if it could be ovarian cancer..
Do you think the doctor has decided to have all these tests and referrals done just to be on the safe side? Is this a common thing that comes with having an ovarian cyst that is quite big? This is my first cyst i dont know what to expect i am just really worried and i dont know who to turn to and have been crying all day. I had my blood tests done today they said the results will be back on monday x

My understanding is if an ovarian cyst is over a certain size, you are automatically fast tracked to see a gynaecologist. You have a CA-125 as standard too. This is what happened to me. The gynae nurse told me that the CA-125 is used as a guide, because you can have a raised level for lots of reasons, not just cancer. So, if it's raised, they move more quickly, just in case.
My cyst was 6cm and had complex features but it turned out to be a benign cyst/tumour. I opted for a total hysterectomy as I was 49. The alternative was an op to remove just the affected ovary.
A lady opposite me in hospital had a huge ovarian cyst which weighed 21lbs when it was removed. She had a raised CA-125 but it was benign.
Hope this is helpful, I was worried like you are, but the consultant said the majority of cysts are benign.

The tests need to be done before you see gynae, it’s standard to have them done when you are being referred. Our GP’s regularly refer under the 2ww when they feel patients need seeing quickly. If they didn’t refer urgently/fast track, women would be waiting 9-12 months just for an initial appointment.I hope all turns out to be okay

Don't panic op. They need to check the cyst, because it can be dangerous even if benign.

I had an ovarian dermoid -a kind of cyst- that twisted, turned necrotic and caused all sorts of issues. They aren't particularly rare but can be nasty. At least your gp has referred you, my ex-gp insisted there was nothing wrong until I collapsed in the street.

Good luck. Hopefully will be quick and easy to sort.

Yes, this is normal and please bear in mind that a raised CA125 doesn't necessarily mean anything sinister.

CA125 is not a diagnostic test.

I have raised CA125 and they can't find a cause. Gynaecologist told me it's a useful marker if someone is known to have ovarian cancer but it can also be abnormal for many other reasons. Basically anything in the pelvis such as a UTI or bowel problems can affect it.

Oh thank you so much everyone for your helpful replies 🥹 i felt so lightheaded after seeing all that on my nhs app.. as soon as i read "suspected cancer" the faces of my son and daughter who are still babies appeared infront of my eyes and i broke down into tears 😭 nothing else mattered to me at that moment 😢.. i feel alittle better now after reading all your replies, i dont have any horrible symptoms it was just nagging pain in the side and dull heavy pain in the pelvis so im hoping it will just be surgery for the one ovary.. i will post again on here as the results come xxxxx

Don't fret, I had one when I had a huge cyst on an ovary that was a 'surprise!' They digitally removed it the day after they found it and said they'll do the bloods as routine, but not to worry as it's routine - it was fine, mine was a mucinous cystadenoma
Good luck

Hi @MochaBear I've just had the same news as you and have been sent for a blood test and referred to gynae. Hopefully all will be ok for both of us but I also can't stop worrying 😞

Ca125 is an inflammation marker and can be raised in the thousands, that’s when they are more concerned . It can be raised too if endometriosis is present.

@mumof1littlebun yeah i mean it would have been nice if they kept it subtle until the tests show something thats actually there rather than receiving a letter saying stuff like "suspected ovarian cancer".. but i guess they do that to use as proof that they did all the tests necessary just incase something unknown does crop up in the future etc.

I am worried too but alot of the replies on this post did put my mind as ease somewhat.. the most positive thing is that other than the dull ache that comes and goes on one side (sometimes i forget its there as the pain does tend to subside alittle) i dont really have any other symptoms. Hopefully we will both have good news xx

@AttilaTheMeerkat yeah as i said its just the title on that letter about suspected cancer on my nhs app that freaked me out, you dont expect to receive something like that after just 1 appointment of an ultrasound and internal scan 😣