CA-15-3 levels have increased during Chemo

Mariechriss

Although my oncologist says not to worry.... I'm still worried. My CA-15-3 level was 5.3 with an active breast cancer tumor. After a double mastectomy I started Chemotherapy in February. My CA-15-3 is now up to 11.3. I know my levels are not considered high, but shouldn't my levels go down or at least stay the same, not increase?? I

Moderators

Mariechriss, welcome to Breastcancer.org. Sorry you had to join us here but we're glad to see that you found our amazing community. Hope someone who can help gives you some feedback soon.

Best wishes,

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Les123

Yesterday I was excited that it's my last chemo treatment. However, prior to my last treatment my MO said on my blood work my tumor marker CA 27.29has started to climb. Anything below 38 considered normal. Before my surgery I was at 42. After my surgery I was at 32. And before chemo It was down to 22. However this last bloodwork the day before to my last chemo it went up to 62.4 yikes. A little teary-eyed and scared. She told me nothing to be alarmed about yet. Did this ever happened to anyone? I had PET Scan/Bone Scans and MRI done in Feb. prior to my surgery and all came back negative of any other cancer besides the lump in my right breast.

muska

My MO takes the baseline of tumor markers before chemo and then resumes testing for tumor markers six months after chemo. She doesn't check them during or soon after chemo.

Mariechriss, Less, I don't think you need to worry about your numbers if you are still undergoing or just finished chemo. Get re-tested in several months.

Best.

Les123

It just seems odd for it to raise from 22 right after surgery to 62. Could chemo or the effects give you a false positive reading during this time? Inflammation, etc.

muska

Yes, it is my understanding inflammation and other processes caused by chemo may raise the markers. Also, BC tumor markers are not very reliable if taken separately from other symptoms that oncologists usually follow. I am not even sure the term "false positive" applies to tumor markers: they are just one piece in a much larger puzzle and do not prove anything by themselves, not for breast cancer.

cive

There is also something called tumor flare, which will temporarily raise tumor markers because your body is shedding them faster because more are being killed such as during chemotherapy.