CA-125 blood test results & ovarian cancer?
In august, i had an MRI done on my lower back for persistent nerve pain. Neurologist said results were normal from his perspective, but is should see my gynecologist for a 2" ovarian cyst the MRI found. I made an apt. and saw him early sept. He reviewed the MRI findings, and told me cysts were normal, most women never know they have them, and they usually go away on their own. To be safe, he wanted me to come in for an ultrasound in a month to check it. We both thought for sure it would be smaller, or gone. Late october i get my ultrasound, and to my surprise, it had grown and was bleeding within itself. Dr. then ordered a CA-125 blood test. My results came in at 36, just above the high end of the normal range. I have been having the constant cramping feeling, like i'm going to start my period, when i know i'm not due to, and feeling full fast, loss of appetite, lack of energy, etc. Now he wants to do surgery to remove my rt. ovary, the cyst & rt. the fallopian tube. He says he'll do whats called a freeze test on the cyst to determine if it's cancerous, and if so, he may take out the other ovary to prevent the chance of the cancer having spread. I'm sure they then send the removed cyst out for a biopsy. My concern is this: everything i've read about the CA-125 test says it is not accurate in screening for ovarian cancer. Is my surgery based on the ultrasound findings AND CA-125 test combined? I had an abdominal U/S and the trans-vaginal. My surgery will be an abdominal incision, not the easier laparascopy. Am i being too over concerned about the blood test findings? I feel i should have the cyst out because it is hemorrhaging & fluid filled. Thanks in advance for your answers.
If you get a "normal" C-reactive protein test result, can you still have cancer?
Of course!Here's why: Never say Never and Never say Always. I use this when referring to any medical test.Let's review your question. Basically, you're asking whether a CRP result, i.e. normal vs elevated, is 100% specific for cancer.Now, whether you believe you understand or accept “my” maxim or not, does it make sense that this test is that specific? I mean, my G-d, if that were true, we could save billions of dollars and thousands to millions of lives just by using this one simple test!
How do I stay calm while waiting for the test results for cancer?
Waiting for scan and test results is always something of an ordeal, and while I���ve never managed to stay completely calm myself, there are some things I find helpful.Firstly, fill your time and keep yourself busy. Ideally find something that you’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t found the time, and get stuck in. It needs to be something you actually want to do, otherwise it’ll be a chore instead of a distraction.Talk to someone. Ideally someone you’re close to, who will be understanding and supportive. I find this process cathartic and, if you talk last thing at night, it can actually get you a decent night’s sleep.Exercise, if you can. Nothing too strenuous but something that tires you out a bit. This will release endorphins into your system and will have a calming effect for a while. A few pieces of high cocoa (60% or more) chocolate, will have a similar effect.I wish you all the best with your results.
If there was a test to determine if you would have cancer in your life, would you take it? Why or why not?
Here is a question for my biology class.. just looking for other people's opinions!! :) Thanks! There are genetic tests available for several types of “inherited cancer.” The results from these tests cannot usually predict that someone will get cancer within a particular amount of time. Rather, they indicate only that a person has an increased risk of developing cancer. For many of the cancers involved, there are no lifestyle changes that can decrease a person’s risk of actually getting the disease. Some people feel that this makes the tests useless. If your close family had a history of cancer and a test were available, would you want to get screened? Why or why not? What would you do with this information? If a sibling decided to get screened, would you want to know the results?
Where can I find the pancreatic cancer strip test?
I think the asker is referring to Jack Andraka's pancreatic cancer test that was all the craze back in 2012.The answer to your question is the test does not exist and probably never will as the science behind it while enough to win a high school science fair has not been published or subject to scientific scrutiny, plus the study was done in immunodeficient mice that had human pancreatic cells grafted onto them. I am sure that's the perfect proof except it doesn't actually work in humans with pancreatic cancer...The media as usual just blew the whole thing up way out of proportion to what it actually was as he was young, good looking, blonde and charismatic! What a story! Starting to sound like another biotech company we know about doesn't it?Anyway for an interesting and detailed analysis of this saga, have a read of this Forbes article: Why Biotech Whiz Kid Jack Andraka Is Not On The Forbes 30 Under 30 List
How long does it take for a blood test for cancer to come back?
There are NO specific blood tests for cancer.Some blood tests can give some indication but they are evaluated in the light of clinical examination, main complaints, other investigations, etc.For instance, very high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) sometimes point to cancer, some other serious infection, TB, etc.High PSA can mean benign prostatic hyperplasia but also prostate cancer.Various other tests - specific for various tumours - can also mean something.
Does a routine blood test check for cancer?
Yes, within limits. A routine blood test generally comprises of a complete blood count (CBC) and electrolytes, basic ions in the blood plasma. A CBC will give an automated count on the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils in decreasing order), immature cell types, and platelets. In addition to a blood smear, a CBC is the diagnostic test for leukemias and lymphomas. An excess of a particular type of cell or abnormalities in development of different types of cells are the main criteria for clinical diagnosis of blood born cancers. In addition, fatigue and malaise is often part of the initial presentation of cancer - an assessment in the number and quality of red blood cells are essential in the cancer work-up and to rule out anemia and other reasons for fatigue. Electrolytes, the basic metabolic panel, is composed of serum potassium, glucose, nitrogen (urea), bicarb, creatinine, cholride, carbon dioxide, and other essential ingredients in blood. Often cancers present as gross disturbances in the levels of these basic electrolytes. Elevated calcium is a sign of paraneoplastic syndrome and can be the result of many types of cancers. Outside of routine blood tests, other types of cancer screening mechanisms are also for blood borne markers. These include AFP (for liver cancer), CA125 (for ovarian cancer), PSA (for prostate cancer), and CEA (for some types of lung cancer). The sensitivity and selectivity of these markers are a whole other issue, but they are also blood tests.