Tumor Marker - Talk Me Down Please

VJSL8

Your numbers could change if you used a different lab. I freaked out once over my numbers when they jumped up and then they came back down. Since I have no symptoms, I stopped doing blood work and I stopped seeing an oncologist. I see my GP every 6 months (for other issues) and he wants me to follow up with an oncologist but I keep telling him--what for--all he does is check my lymph nodes and run blood work--and the GP can do that.

sbelizabeth

Sloan, here's a voice from DEEP SPACE (that totally cracked me up). My onc doesn't do CEA--don't know why--but she draws tumor markers at every three-month visit, so I have a nice baseline graph since 2011 of what mine have run.

My onc said tumor markers can be elevated by a lot of things. Recent surgery, an injury, a cold or the flu, chemo.

I've also had about a million "scares." Back pain, arm pain, a headache, a rash on my hip that turned out to be an allergy--stuff that, pre-cancer, I would have just said "huh, that's uncomfortable," and moved on. Now, I think--"is it breast cancer?" I don't know if that ever goes away, but I'm definitely becoming calmer about the odd ache or pain.

I have found the two week rule to be very helpful. If I have something unusual, like a new persistent pain somewhere, I give it two weeks to go away. If it's not resolving, I'll call my onc. Rarely is something not on its way out in two weeks, and I'll realize I've been slinging the grandkids too enthusiastically and pulled a muscle somewhere, or something equally benign.

Hang in there. Gentle hugs.

Luvforall

I've been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma but my ca 27.29 is in the normal range (25).

This is confusing I expected the tm to be elevated.

KBeee

Tumor markers are not accurate for many people which is why many MOs do not do them

pathp

You are all in my thoughts, each of you. The world is yours.

"You can beat cancer by how you live

why you live

and in the manner in which you live"

Deamo1

I've had a CA27-29 anywhere from the 40's to 60's (below 45 is normal) My recent test was 138. Very worried like everyone posting. If this test doesn't mean much why do they use it? Anxiety has started and it's the weekend and I can't get my Dr on the phone.

zoeykate

Mine spiked and went back down...do you have pain or other symptoms ?that would be a better indicator, I  know people who are metastatic and their markers are low... not sure it’s that reliable...