Tumor Marker Question

ConcernedSister

Hi-

My sister's breast cancer has been in remission - (I am so greatful!). However, her Dr is concerned because her tumor marker tests have been gradually rising. 2 years ago she did have a recurrence but her tumor marker at that time went way up (the bc returned in her ovaries but they were able to take her ovaries out). Anyway - just curious if anyone has had this come up and hopefully there are some inspiring stories out there. Thank you so much!!!

NPat

Tumor markers are are like bobbers used in fishing. When the bobber bobs... it may be a fish or you have snagged a twig. They are not exact prognosticators of what is really going on but can be used in combination with the clinical exam to get a "guestimate". When markers trend upward, there is concern, but other measures will be taken to find a recurrence... most likely liver function tests, blood count and some type of a scan.
Pat

laryy48

NPat's advice is right on. My wife's oncologist used the CEA and CA27.29 marker tests to look for trends. Kathy's(Wife) tumor marker numbers were very accurate in indicating when the cancer was going away or when it cmae back. We never worried about the marker numbers going up a few points in a month. However, if the numbers doubled over a two or three month peroid, then KAthy had a CT and PET scan done to get a better idea of what was going on.
We used themarker test as a monitoring device. For exammple, when kathy was Diagnosed with bone mets her CEA was 150. Over a period of 9 months and 12 treatments of Taxotere and Xeloda her CEA dropped every month ubtil it leveled off at 12. We knew the chemo was working because the MArker numbers continued to decline AND most importantly, KAthy was looking and feeling better. She went off chemo for nine months and continued to have the CEA and Ca 27.29 marker test done every month.

Fast forward to june of 2004. After 9 months of a level CEA and CA 27.29 number, her marker numbers started to climb and by August of 2004, the numbes had doubled. This indicated that the cancer wsa coming back and KAthy had another CT and PET scan done. These scans showed that the cancer had indeed come back into her bones. KAthy had to back on chemo.

The marker tumor marker tests were a great tool for KAthy in helping to fight her cancer. Don't worry about a few points rise in the marker test. IF the trend continues over a few months then you should have a CT and/or PET scan done. I hope this helps and that your sister is in good health and spirits. Go do something fun with her as soon as you can. Kathy and I never missed a chance to go get "crazy".

You are both in my prayers.

laryy48

ConcernedSister

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and support. I will keep praying! I guess it's good that the Dr is so pro-active and is on top of her tumor marker tests. She'll have scans later this week.
Thank you again - and I will pray for you all as well.
Colleen

Anonymous

NPat, love that great analogy on TM.