High CA 15-3 levels

Fighting_Irish

Hey there. I'm having a little freak out fest here. Saw my oncologist today & was informed that my CA 15-3 levels were very high. The previous two blood tests they had been the higher level of normal but now they are beyond normal so I am being sent for a CAT scan within the next week or 2. A very anxious wait! My bloods also came back with a high level of calcium. Has anyone experienced this before? I'd really appreciate some feedback, don't be afraid to be honest. I need to know if I'm facing round 2 of this TNBC that tried to knock me nearly 6 years ago. Isn't waiting for results just torture!

Moiralf

Are those markers reliable for you? I guess you know that they arn't for everyone. Yes your onc is looking for a trend and if they are starting to move up then it is worth looking to see if things are happening in the body.

Waiting for results drives me insane and I think of every scenario so that whatever my onc says I am prepared for it. 

I'm not triple neg but my onc does use CA 15-3 for my markers. When you say they are high do you know how high. Mine started above normal and as I am stage 4 when they go high they go really high. For me it does show progression but i have been here for 5 years and still doing fine.

My story is that even with markers rising back in 2008/09 it took 9 months before anything showed on a scan. By that time my markers were 1400. I had three scans prior to that and none of them showed anything. It can take a while for things to actually show up, they have to be a certain size before they can pick them up.

Hoping that is helpful and not scary, the wait and then the scans and then the wait for results are by far the worst part of this. take it one day at a time and know that whatever will be is already happening and you will deal with it or not as it happens, not before you know what you are dealing with. Wish I took my own advice. 

Otherwise use whatever relaxation methods you have. Nothing wrong with getting some help in pill form either. Anti-anxiety can help to smooth the rough edges off the wait.

Hope it goes alright with the scan and you can put this behind you.

Moira

Fighting_Irish

thank you for taking the time to reply Moira and for your advice. I am driving myself insane here thinking all sorts. I guess what scares me is the combination of the CA and the calcium being high together. I also have constant back pain, but that could be down to ageing, wear and tear! I am getting panic attacks throughout the day & feel like my stomach is in a constant knot with anxiety waiting on this darn CT scan....another week & then a weeks wait to see the MO for results. Going to research some relaxation methods!

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello Fighting_Irish

I thought I would just post to say that high calcium blood levels can be a sign of an over active parathyroid gland.

In 2005, when diagnosed with breast cancer, it was also discovered I had high calcium levels. This can also be a sign that cancer has spread to the bones. A blood test was carried out and it was discovered I had high levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood and I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. This can be cured through minor surgery.

You can find a lot of information on this if you go to the forum Not diagnosed with mets but concerned and go to the High calcium thread. You can also find information on the forum Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and go to the thread Breast cancer and hyperparathyroidism. We have also discussed it on my own thread Calling all triple negative breast cancer patients in the UK.

You need to get a diagnosis because hyperparathyroidism causes osteoporosis.

Wishing you well.

Sylvia

Anonymous

I had my "normal" yearly physical 2 weeks ago, coupled with a pre-op for my 7th attempt at re-construction. That same day I saw my Cardiologist and Oncologist. I had my blood work a couple days before.

The minute I walked into my Onc office, he sat down next to me...inches a part, and with my hubby next to me, and explained he wanted an immediate PET and CT scan as my markers were very elevated. He wanted it done ASAP, as I was having surgery the following Tuesday. The hospital was not able to squeeze me in, so surgery went forward as planned. My PS removed a large mass under my left arm, but I have not heard anything regarding the biopsy results. His office did call Monday, after surgery, and said he wants me to go forward with the scan ASAP. I'll be having both this monday. 

BTW, he orders a number of different markers, not just the CA 15-3. I think I have 5 or 6 different Cancer marker tests 

Like you, I am very stressed, but try and relax. Personally I not just doing the 24 hour diet, but started it tonight so nothing will be in my system to screw up the PET