r/ovariancancer_new

Title: Looking for some reassurance about my mom’s rising CA-125 after treatment
Hi everyone,

I’m posting because I’ve been feeling incredibly anxious about my mom and was hoping to hear from others who may have experienced something similar.

My mom was diagnosed with stage IV high-grade serous fallopian tube cancer in 2025, which initially presented with a malignant pleural effusion. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery and responded really well to treatment. Her CA-125 went from 129 at diagnosis to 5, where it stayed for several months.

She’s been receiving Avastin maintenance and just completed her final scheduled treatment. Her CA-125 was 8 in July, but her latest bloodwork showed it had increased to 24.

I know 24 is still within the normal range (normal range is under 35), but the increase from her usual baseline has really frightened me.

The confusing part is that my mom feels great. Her appetite and energy are good, and she’s been doing so well. The only notable change over the past few months was a persistent dry cough, which her oncologist strongly believed was a side effect of Avastin. Her chest X-ray in August was stable, and the cough has mostly resolved.
Her oncologist has ordered a CT scan to investigate the increase, and we’re currently waiting for it to be scheduled.

I’m trying my best not to jump to the worst conclusion, but after watching my mom go through so much, I’m terrified of her having to experience it all again.
Has anyone experienced a CA-125 increase while still within the normal range, particularly during or after maintenance treatment? Did your levels ever stabilize or come back down?

I’m not looking for a diagnosis, just hoping to hear some experiences and find a little comfort while we wait.
Thank you so much for reading. ❤️

Hello,

I am in the early stages of a first recurrence after about 18 months NED. My CA 125 is creeping slowly up from <5.5 to 12.5 since June. A CT scan in June then July shows new stable carcinamatosis on the mesentery.

My surgeon called in inoperable. My oncologist is not ordering a PET or any different treatment.

I feel like the current treatment plan is to watch my cancer metastasize. They are taking my bloods monthly and only plan to scan every 3 months.

Surely more should be happening????

Brief history of my diagnosis and txt.

HGSOC Stage 3C. Braca1.

4 rounds Abraxane, Carboplatin.

complete hysterectomy, salpingoooverectomy, omentectomy.

4 more rounds chemo.

15 rounds Avastin alongside Lynparza

continuing with 500 my Lynparza

NED as of April 2025 until June 2026.

Looking for some positive stories of stage 4b high grade serous ovarian cancer survival who have beaten the odds and survived for years after diagnosis! 💞

Hi guys .

My mom got diagnosed with 3c HGSOC , she's HRD negative , BRCA negative and TP3 Mutated around June 2024.

She went through a debunking surgery. And then went through 6 cycles of TP + Bev. And then she was on Bev maintainance for 15 cycles and was NED and all scans were fine.

Then this year in January her CA125 went to 100+ and we got her a PET scan which revealed free nodes in her peritoneum and hernia.

Then she was again put on chemo tabs which didn't work and she had a lot of fluid buildup

So we transferred her to Nab + Carb but then she got allergy from that and was put on GEM/BEV/CDDP but after three cycles of this her CA125 went up again and we saw enlargement of lymph nodes.

Now since her tumor is 75% for FA receptor her oncologist has adviced her elhare which is very expensive in india. And according to our doctor she has 6- 8 months.

I personally refuse to believe this because my mom has no symptoms now other than some mild pain abdomen.

For the time being doctor has put her on Lipodaxil. I don't know to take this all in. We had a lot of plans to go to Goa , to have fun. And I haven't had the heart to tell my dad about this number.

What do you guys think? Has there anyone in india that has gone through this and any advice will be fine? I can take a big loan but my brother is saying that it can be a problem for me in future to pay it off. I am torned how does one map their mother to money.

Thanks. Any advice would be great.

My surgeons said I only have 2 micro lesions less than 0.5mm left after my surgery. 2 more chemos post surgery and a year of Avastin after, any positive stories of people that had little residual disease post surgery? I haven't really been told much about if my surgery was successful or unsuccessful or what my CA125 looks like and feel a little in the dark.

28 years old, stage 3 HGSOC, platinum sensitive. Total hysterectomy (ovaries, fallopian tubes too) and omentectomy.

Hi guys,

Need motivation to get through this from tomm