Tumor markers after DCIS?

pkb3937

just wondering how many of you have tumor markers?  I am 3 years post BMX and I refuse to draw tumor markers.  Ultrasound the heck out of me but tumor markers open the door for false positives and I'm not sure I can handle that.  There was no invasive component and I just want to hear everyone else's opinion !

MelissaDallas

I haven't heard of women who had only DCIS having tumor markers done.

pkb3937

Melissa, thank u.  My doctor says its protocol to have them drawn on EVERYONE.  I always  refuse and it makes my appointments so stressful .  

ballet12

pkb--As you have surmised, there is absolutely no rational reason for tumor markers to be assessed after DCIS.  Also, what are they doing the ultrasound on, if you had BMX?  The chest wall?  Even that isn't standard of care. Tumor markers aren't always even done routinely on early stage invasive cancer, which at least has a rationale for doing it.  What kind of specialty is the MD who is following you, oncologist?  I hate to say it, but you might want to find another one.

pkb3937

ballet... He is a surgeon that specializes in breast cancer .  He has a big breast cancer practice and is supposedly regarded as one of the best.  He is making my visits so stressful.  I know he means well, but if I only have a 1% chance of getting breast cancer , he sure puts the fear of God in me.  LOL.    He will probably soon retire and will hand his practice over to someone else.  Thank u for reassuring me.  My regular GYN tells me i have a "say" in what tests I have done and in my case, since I'm a "worrier", he thinks blood work and waiting for results would be worse for me.  I did have silicone reconstruction and he is welcome to ultrasound the heck out of those, since ultrasounds and X-rays are done at his clinic .  He does his own ultrasounds at bedside. 

pkb3937

bump:)

ballet12

bkb--retirement sounds good to me.  Maybe your GYN  has a point.

I know you want someone else to respond, but it's summer and a Sunday, so things are pretty slow right now. Hopefully, someone will comment tomorrow.

Janet456

I'm in the UK so things are different, but we would not get tumor marker tests post DCIS.

Follow up here is a mammogram yearly for 5 years and a clinical exam.  After 5 years we go on to routine screening which is every 3 years.

I'll take that, I can do without any added stress.

april485

I am thinking your doc does these tests for $$$...hate to think it, but can't imagine what other reason there would be for DCIS since it is confined to the duct and therefore cannot cause a rise in tumor load.

pkb3937

thanks everybody!  I'm going to see him Wednesday, I'll let y'all know how it went! 

GipGirl

I'm was absolutely thrown with a call this morn re: my tumor markers ( follow up from last week's blood test).. they want to repeat the test because of slight elevation!.. I was told the test isn't always accurate.. I thought DCIS with 1cm, clear margins, Lumpectomy, 30 rad treatments and Tamoxifen would give me MORE of a chance for non-recurrence.. I'm nervous, anxious and increasingly depressed!... Has anyone experienced this!

JoTheGreek

I believe I lost 10 years of my life during the 24-hour wait on tumor markers' results... and there were not only the ones related to BC as I had several other health issues at the time, there were 5 of them! 15-3, 125, CEA, 19-9, aFp… the most stressful day of my whole life so far...

Socat

Question...I was diagnosed with DCIS a year ago, had the lumpectomy, sentinel node removed and more surgery a month later to get some of the margins they missed the first time. On to 36 radiation treatments and tamoxifen. I got my initial lab work done about 1-2 months post radiation and she did a CA15-3 which of course was elevated, up to about 30 (normal is 15 according to the results) - sidenote, I've been a phlebotomist for 30+ years and have a little too much information and scare myself sometimes...Anyway, my onc didn't say much about it at my visit which I expected. The next set of labs 4 months later, the CA 15-3 went up to 39.4 At this visit, she was concerned, but also said she doesn't normally do this test on DCIS patients because it really doesn't have any relevance, all the while still saying she was concerned but will keep an eye on it. My next labs 2 weeks ago, it stayed pretty steady but went up a point and a half to 40.8. Since it wasn't a significant jump, she wants to hold steady and check it again in 4 months. Has this happened to anyone else? Since it normally isn't checked on DCIS patients, I'm having a hard time finding reliable information on it...just sitting here wondering if I should be really concerned...

JoE777

Cathy, that's a tough one. My onc says they can't be the final word but is a tool. My markers did not fall into normal but have never been as high as many have even though I'm metastatic. I understand your concern and having similar numbers as you and being in real trouble causes me an uncomfortable feeling for you. But, my situation was a head scratcher for the doctors. Try not to panic but I would have a serious conversation with the doctor about a scan of some sort or MRI to bring clarity to where you stand. 4 months is too long. Of course, your DX may be different. What kind of BC do you have. Please keep us posted. Peace for you heart and mind this season. Jo

Socat

Thank you Jo, I was diagnosed with DCIS a month before my 50th birthday, September 2017. I've had the lumpectomy, sentinel node removed, radiation and tamoxifen. I know the tumor markers are only tools and can't or shouldn't be used to treat or diagnose. My husband is ready for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th opinion, but I have complete faith in my team, it just makes me nervous, and i'm already a worrier ! My maternal aunt died from metastasized breast cancer 20 years ago, I did the BRCA 1 & 2 and everything came back negative thank goodness, but now this just has me stumped and concerned...I may call her after the holidays and just see if we can do something to put my mind at ease. Thank you for your words Jo, and peace for you as well, Cathie

Socat

Still having issues with this CA15-3...Just had my labs done again and it's holding steady at 39. Still can't find anything on the computer anywhere about CA 15-3 and DCIS. My onc still says not to worry, I think I should get another opinion. I called her when the results were posted for me to see, she said not to worry and we'll talk about it at my next appointment on the 15th...