Ca 125 how reliable is it

FormerMember
FormerMember
  • 1 reply
  • 31 subscribers
  • 2614 views

Can I ask some advice. I have had a hysterectomy a year ago (adenomyosis). I still suffer from some pain in my pelvis mostly on the right mostly during ovulation  (I get spots and sore breasts at this time to I kept both ovaries ) . i can feel pain at other times and i can also feel a twang pain someimes with a bowel movement and when i cough or move suddenly.

I also have gas at times and my tummy looks a bit podgy but feels soft most of the time.

i had an internal ultrasound and examination last night. the consultant could see my left ovary and said it looked fine. He couldn't see my right but could feel it and said there was some fluid but thinks it might be ovulation related I have spots at the mo and sore breasts.

the only test he wants me to have is a c125 test which i had this morning. i have never had a mri ct or laparoscopy  (don't know if that's the Correct spelling? )

is the Ca 125 reliable can it give false positives or false negatives? does other things affect it?? 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi . Unfortunately, the CA125 test is far from foolproof and  no doctor would diagnose ovarian cancer on the basis of a single CA125 result alone. At diagnosis, some women have normal levels (up to 35)  and many have big numbers (in the hundreds or even thousands). Add to that that other conditions can indeed influence it (e.g. surgery, endometriosis). Sometimes, doctors will re-do the test on a monthly basis to see if there are any fluctuations. The main thing to look out for is when levels double across a series of consecutive monthly tests. Try not to fixate too much on the result at this stage, as you will be sent for further tests and scans if the doctors are concerned.