Should I be concerned?

3boysmom39

Had recent rib fracture, with no known cause, am osteopenic, and urine( not blood) has very high calcium level.....just saw onc.a couple weeks ago and tumor marker is high. So....did my rib fracture from osteopenia or possible bone met....CT San shows healing/ healed fracture, no swollen nodes or anything...how do they know cause of fracture??? Oncologist is concerned about ca27.29 being 50, which to me is not that high...but it is higher than its ever been. Do start worrying now? Thanks for any insight!

bak94

Hi,

WHat have your tumor markers been in the past? I think the normal range goes up to 38, at least that is the case with my lab. Many say tumor markers are unreliable. Did you have radiation? I think that can make the ribs fragile. Would a ct scan show bone mets? Maybe request a bone scan to put your mind at ease? The worrying never stops, does it?!

3boysmom39

thanks for response. did have radiation, but small targeted area where tumor was, away from broken rib. onc ordered PTH blood work (parathyroid), which was checked earlier this year and was fine...so we'll see. I think I will ask for scan, and see what she says, for now just a re-check on tumor marker in september. i actually am not terribly worried, or wasnt until onc said she was! There is always something to bring our minds back to cancer.....