Tumor Markers

Louanne

Anyone here Grade 1 ER+/PR-, HER2- ? I'll be starting appointments for treatment options, and I'm having a difficult time finding anyone with the same tumor markers. I've read a lot about treatments, but not seeing anything specific.

inks

I think you are using the wrong term. Tumor marker is a blood test to see if treatment is working or cancer has come back. Are you looking to find someone with the same DX to see what treatment they received? There are so much more variables than just the ER/PR/HER and grade to decide on treatment. OncotypeDX test is a good indicator if you would need chemo. And the type of hormone treatment would depend of your menopausal status.

Louanne

Thanks inks. I haven't gotten my oncotype yet. I have been doing some research reading studies. All the examples on treatments in a study I've read were done on ER+ PR- HER2- and grade 3 cells. 

Yes, I see there is a lot more involved in the tumor markers.

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Breast cancer cells with ER and/or PR depend on estrogen and/or progesterone to grow. Testing for ER and PR is done to find out if a cancer is likely to be successfully treated with hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex).

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein is present in large amounts in 20% to 25% of breast cancers. Anti-HER2 treatments block HER2 to stop the growth of cancer cells. Testing for HER2 helps doctors know if a cancer can be treated with anti-HER2 treatments, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), and in some cases, may suggest whether additional treatment with chemotherapy may be helpful.

Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), cancer antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).These tumor markers are found in 50% to 90% of patients with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread outside the breast). However, high levels may also be a sign of another condition that is not cancer. Some doctors monitor these tumor markers to find an early recurrence (the return of cancer after treatment) in patients who do not show any signs of cancer after surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. A doctor may also use this test to learn whether cancer treatment is working. Learn more about when testing for these tumor markers is not recommended.

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Higher-than-normal levels of these tumor markers in the cancer tissue may mean that the cancer is more aggressive (faster growing). Accurate tests of uPA and PAI-1 require a specific way of saving and storing the tissue, so these tests may not be as common as the other tumor marker tests mentioned in this guide. These tumor markers may be used to guide the use of chemotherapy after surgery for patients with node-negative breast cancer (meaning there is no cancer found in the lymph nodes).

Oncotype DX. This is a test that measures multiple genes at once to estimate the risk of breast cancer recurrence for patients with early-stage, ER-positive, node-negative breast cancer. Patients with a low Recurrence Score may only need to be treated with hormone therapy and can avoid chemotherapy.

inks

I think you are still using the term "tumor markers" erroneously to describe the things that makes up ones diagnosis. Usually the term "tumor markers " refers to the blood test ca 15-3 (as you have shown in the text that you copied and pasted). Is your tumor marker ca 15-3 high?

Estrogen receptor positive and Progesterone receptor negative breast cancer is sometimes referred to as a subtype of ER+ cancer - luminal B. It is usually more aggressive. That could be the reason why the study you looked at referred to only grade 3 cells. Here's a little article explaining luminal B breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3430090/

What study or treatment are you referring to?

Louanne

It was a compilation of studies. https://www.accc-cancer.org/ossn_network/IL/pdf/IMOS-Fellows-Danciu.pdf

I'm somewhat confused because I've read that grade 1 cells do not respond well to chemotherapy. We are two hours away from any major breast cancer centers. Trying to learn as much as possible before seeing the MO. 

Moderators

Hi! If it helps, here is some good info on Blood Marker Tests, Hormone Receptor Status and Chemotherapy from the Breastcancer.org main site.

Best,

The Mods

BrooksideVT

There's a tremendous amount of information to be learned (and misinformation to be unlearned) in the first weeks after diagnosis; I was on information overload for months.  I found the breastcancer.org main section a great source for getting grounded in all my areas of concern..  Have you clicked all through their links yet?  For me, I had to go over and over some of the information before it kind of jelled.  Your puzzle pieces will also begin to fall together soon. 

I hear you on the two-hours-away center.  Mine is also just about that far, which raises quite another issue, but it's definitely the place to be.  I've found they are wonderful at arranging more than one appointment on the same day, and my docs are all adept at email.  Test results and appointment summaries are posted on their website three days after they reach the doctor.  Also, my center has lots of new patient info, a social worker to help us navigate through the system, and a couple of different types of support group. 

Louanne

Thank you Moderators!

BrookesideVT, There are some great Doctors in my area, but I would definitely like a second opinion out of the area, which my insurance will be astronomical. That is why I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Thank you for responding.