Infected Seroma and rising tumor markers

LuvRVing

Just got back from the Breast Center.  I had a nasty infected seroma that probably stems from the horrible biopsy I had back in June that resulted in a massive hematoma.  The seroma had to be aspirated, and the fluid and tissue will be cultured and biopsied.  While this has been brewing, my CA 27.29 has gone from 34 in August to 39 in January to 64 this week. 

Is it possible the tumor markers went up due to this infection?  I have no other signs of trouble.  My onco called me this afternoon but I missed his call because I was at the pharmacy getting my Cadillac antibiotic script filled. 

 I'm just a little nervous about this - especially the tumor markers.  I know this test can show a false positive, and I'm holding out hope that the infection is the problem. 

LRM216

Yes, inflammation can definitely cause tumor markers to rise, and your infected seroma would definitely be inflamed.  Wishing you all the best and that this is all just a nasty, pesky infection and nothing more.

LuvRVing

LRM - thank you!  I did talk to the oncologist late this afternoon and he said the same thing.  Hopefully the antibiotic along with the aspiration today will resolve the problem.

Michelle

LRM216

Luv-

How are you doing?  Am thinking about you and hoping all is well (or at least getting better).

LuvRVing

LRM - so it turns out that the seroma was not infected at all.  It did, however, contain cancer cells.  And how did that happen when I had a lumpectomy and internal (Mammosite) radiation???  Well, the BS thinks that somehow cancer cells were pulled into the hematoma at the biopsy site and therefore escaped radiation.  She said it is extremely rare, but it does happen.  And oh, the Cytology lab did not properly handle the specimen sent to them for pathology, so they couldn't perform any other tests on the specimen.  Cancer cells were found...no other information available. 

So now, I am an "interesting" case which will be presented to the Tumor Board.  I am in the process of getting testing underway and having a consultation with a PS.  The plan is a BMX with DIEP within the month. 

I would prefer to be boring

Michelle

LRM216

Michelle:

I am so very sorry to hear this.  I wish you did not have to go through any else with this.  I am afraid I don't know too much about this.  Did they say what they do about this to remedy it, or does the BMX end it?  If so, then I wish you could have it done yesterday!!!  Please keep me posted, I care.   

Linda

LuvRVing

Linda - I guess I won't know until after the BMX, unless the PET scan or MRI show something unexpected.  There will be no further biopsies until I have the BMX...not going through that again!  I have an onco appointment this afternoon at 3:15, then an MRI at around 5:00.  I'm sure the onco will schedule the PET within a few days.  My PS appointment is Monday. 

This is a bit like a runaway freight train, and I'm holding on for dear life.

Thanks for thinking of me,

Michelle

LRM216

Please keep me posted, as I wish you only the best and a completely successful outcome.  It's a horror that you are faced with all of this, as it is all of our worst fear. We are never safe, ever, and that is a nasty way to have to live for all of us.  Stay strong! 

Hugs,

Linda

LuvRVing

I had my onco visit and did the MRI this evening.  The MRI doesn't bother me, so that was no big deal.  The onco visit, on the other hand, sucked.  I didn't like him last July and I like him less now.  He uses "shock and awe" as my DH calls it.  It's chemo or die... but we have no test results, we don't know what the MRI or PET scan will show.  We have no pathology.  But he's recommending MX with axillary dissection, chemo, and chest wall radiation if I want him to cure me.  Really???  He must know something that the rest of the world has missed, because last time I checked there is no cure. 

A search for a new oncologist starts tomorrow.  The PET scan is scheduled for next Friday. 

He may end up being right, but his communication style and tendency to jump to conclusions does me in.  He did this last July and told me I had a 5 cm tumor and needed to start neo-adjuvant chemo "yesterday".  The tumor was 1.7 cm.  The rest was dead tissue and 3 hematomas from the biopsy.  

So until we have something definitive to work with, I'm floating down the river of DeNile.  Not going to panic just yet. 

Thanks for your support!

Michelle