Anyone with slightly elevated CA27.29 then clean PET scan...

LuvRVing

If so, please tell me about it.  I could use a little reassurance.  My tumor markers have generally been indicative of what's going on, but have never been lower than 31 (just this past January).  My test last week came back as 55.8, so now it's on to a PET/CT scan scheduled for 5/11. 

I am aware that the CA 27.29 can often give a false positive, so I'm trying to keep my mind on that thought. 

This disease is relentless in its ability to suck up more than its share of worry!

kt1966

Hi LuvRVing. Totally agree with you about this awful disease.

I hate that it robs us of a carefree existence. Its hard to put it behind you when things like tumour marker tests come back elevated. But you're right they aren't reliable for everyone, and they do rise just because of inflammation somewhere, anywhere in the body...

Also oncs don't usually worry about 1 elevated test, they look for a trend- usually 3 months or so, then scan to see IF anything is happening- if the markers have continued to rise.

I went thru this last year- mine (Ca15-3) went from normal to 55 then up to 387 over 6 months or so. All my scans came back NED (bone scan, CT scan, Xrays, US). As a precaution my meds were changed from tamoxifen to zoladex & letrozole (and zoledronic acid once a year).

My markers have come down, 135 at the last test- and my onc won't test anymore, says there's no need as they're on a downward trend. And there is still no sign of mets. 

I hope your markers were elevated just because of inflammation & they're already heading down! Are you having them retested? I hope you get good news, clear scans! 

LuvRVing

Thanks for responding, Kt.  Unfortunately, my history with the CA 27.29 test has shown that when it's elevated, I've got serious trouble brewing.  During my last "recurrence" I went from 39 to 50+ in two months, accompanied by a 4.6 cm lesion and a bunch of cancerous nodes that popped up almost overnight.  The MO is not wasting any time - the PET is scheduled for late next week.  We are not taking a "wait and see" approach here, it's way too risky.  And because I'm TN, there isn't anything I can take to help the situation.  I'm already on metformin, which is in clinical trials right now to prevent recurrences. 

kt1966

Sorry LuvRVing I did notice you were TN and wondered about that.

I hope all is ok. Its so hard waiting to find out tho. Hope you can manage to keep your mind off it by doing some fun stuff or something... 

beljmc45

Hi LuRVing , i'm sory to hear about your markers. I too am also tn and when i went 2 weeks ago to have my port flushed my markers went from 43 to 109. I had a pet and cat done on 4/28 and on 5/2 had a biospsy of a 3cm mass in my sternum area. like you i also have had things pop up all over my body don't know if they are cancerous guess i will find out tomorrow. Sounds like we are on similar paths unfortunately. Can you tell me about how they have handled your recurrence, is it chemo and rads again, is the chemo the same, so confused and scared and i know you must be feeling the same. What was the metformin for as i have not hear that. Maybe you can help ease my pain since you are alittle head of me in this process. I will keep you in my prayers for a clean pet. I'm trying to understand your diagnosis but i am not fimiliar with all the abbreviations, can you help me! just trying to figure out what path i might be going down next, and if you had surgery what kind did you have!

LuvRVing

Beljmc45 - I've had just one recurrence to date, and still waiting to see what's happening at the moment. 

My first BC was June 2010.  I had a lumpectomy and Mammosite rads, followed by Femara.

The second BC, recurrence of sorts, was diagnosed 3/29/2011.  I had a BMX, DD AC/T, rads of my chest wall, supraclavical nodes and boosts to my MX scar area.  I finished all that on 1/12/2012.

I have a PET scheduled for 5/11 to see what's going on at the moment.  I have no physical signs of any trouble.

I am Type 2 Diabetic, so I take Metformin to control my blood sugar.  But there are also hundreds of clinical trials using metformin in the same manner as tamoxifen or arimidex to determine if it will prevent a recurrence.

Good luck with your biopsy results.  Sending positive thoughts for benign results!

beljmc45

on the day your having your pet i will be getting a second opinion something i have not done before but this is a new round and want to see if i get the same advice. i will be thinking of you hoping for good results. let me know

beljmc45

Hi LuRVing how di your pet go, have you heard anything yet? I went for my second opinion and they pretty much agree to start chemo again which i start on the 29th. they are also looking for some clinical trials to get me into. I have read that some of them want new biospies and the one wants liver biops that i have heard are pretty painful. i am willing to try somethings but i am not going to be a guinea pig. so i pray that my next round will slow things down. I don't know if you have family history i do not, and if someone would have told me my life would have taken this turn i would never had believed it!