Tumor Marker CA27.29 rising during chemo

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 has started to climb. Anything below 38 considered normal. Before my surgery I was at 42. After my surgery I was at 32. And the day before I started 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. has anyone else experienced I levels during chemo and then go back down to regular levels once The last chemo was completed. Maybe that could be elevated by stress, just the chemo itself. I really haven't had any complications during my three chemo treatments and now going to my fourth. I am taking Neulasta shot and my bloodwork panel has always come back with good levels. Confused and scared. Triple negative, stage IIA, lymph node negative.

TulipsAndDaffodils

Hi Les,

Try your best not to worry. I'm sure your doctor explained that the tumor markers are not totally reliable, which is why many many doctors don't run them at all. They are just one tool to help, but your recent PET scan should surely be more helpful. Also, my doctor does look at tumor markers but did not during chemo because I think they can be all over the place due to the chemotherapy itself. i had the impression that tumor markers are even less reliable/meaningful in the midst of chemo. The chemo working can actually cause the markers to go up was my rudimentary understanding. I know it's scary but try to not stress. Good luck

Tulips

Les123

thank you! Hoping that is the case.

lintrollerderby

Chemo is known to alter CA27.29 levels. Many MOs won't test tumor marker levels during treatment for that reason alone. It's estimated that up to 30% of breast cancer patients will have an abnormal CA27.29 level for up to 90 days post treatment