r/Ovariancancer • u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 • 5d ago

Ovarian Cancer patient CA-125 went from 46 to 150 in three weeks

Has anyone had this happen? I’ve ranged between 40-50 since January of 2025 getting as high as 89 after HIPEC surgery. I had a scan done 3 days after the 150 reading and the was no clear evidence of cancer. My oncologist of course doesn’t know what to make of it as I also have severe inflammation from four deep holes in my scar due to a reaction with permanent sutures and thinks this can contribute.

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3

u/Remarkable-Pride3007 5d ago

That sudden raise is of concern.

Contact your Oncologist as fast as you can.

2

u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 5d ago

He knows about it and was the one who suggested inflammation might be a contributor.

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u/Remarkable-Pride3007 5d ago

Yes, inflammation is a big cause of CA125 raise too.

2

u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 5d ago

Yes the question becomes how raised can it get and does only inflammation inside the peritoneum raise levels or systemic inflammation as well.

3

u/Remarkable-Pride3007 5d ago

CA125 is a protein released by inflammation and tumours. It is not a liquid biopsy or floating cancer DNA/RNA test which can correctly identify the cancer cells. Unfortunately, you never know.

2

u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 5d ago

Exactly. That is why he’s uncertain of how much role it’s playing as nothing is definitive.

1

u/AZPittieMama 5d ago

Have you ever had your HE4 tested?

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u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 5d ago

No I haven’t. What is it

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u/AZPittieMama 5d ago

My sister had this checked along with her CA125 before every chemo. I stole this from the internet:

HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4) is a protein found in higher than normal amounts in the blood of patients with certain types of cancer, particularly epithelial ovarian cancer. A blood test for HE4 is used to monitor for the recurrence or progression of this cancer and can complement other markers like CA125. It serves as a tumor marker, but is not recommended for initial diagnosis or as a stand-alone test. Increases in serum HE4 levels, often in conjunction with the CA-125 marker, can indicate that the cancer has returned or is growing, while decreasing levels suggest a response to treatment. It is not recommended for monitoring mucinous or germ cell types.

So when my sister was diagnosed, her CA125 was 132 and her HE4 was 149. Ever since her first round of chemo, her CA125 has been 11-12 and HE4 has been 36-39.

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u/Short-Scene 4d ago

Have you had a PET scan done? For my SIL the increase in CA-125 meant that chemo had failed and PET showed metastasis.

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u/Impressive-Hunt-1512 4d ago

I’ve had only a CT scan