CA 27, 29 Value Elevated - 15 Years Out From DX

Anonymous

So I'm 15 years out from my original DX but still see my oncologist for annual visits, mostly because he's a dear sweet man and I enjoy connecting with him, more than for followup purposes. With this many years behind me, I must confess that I've become quite complacent and don't really get anxiety with diagnostic tests/physician visits. I get two diagnostic studies every year, a mammo and an MRI, scheduled six months apart. Most recent study was done in June and showed Bi-Rads 2, benign. Had labs done the other day in anticipation of my annual onc visit this Wednesday and just saw the results on my health portal. CA 27,29 is at 38 and the lab flagged it as "high." I looked it up and anything below 38 is considered normal but 38 and above indicates a potential concern for a return of cancer or for mets, although it apparently can also mean a benign condition affecting another body part. I know labs aren't a true diagnostic test for cancer but there's still that niggling doubt that says "what if?" I'll find out what my onc thinks on Wednesday but wondering if anyone has thoughts about this and is anyone familiar with the outer limit values of the CA 27,29?

2019whatayear

Have you been getting the test yearly? can you see what it was at other times over the last few years? On its face, it's not very helpful. I would ask if you could have it run again in like a month just to see --for peace of mind. The number fluctuates so the 38 needs more context.

MinusTwo

I agree - This test is known for not being exactly reliable - just a guide line or a possible indicator IF it stays elevated. Many docs won't even do this test since patients don't understand the variations. Hope it will not go up with a re-test.

Anonymous

Following up with positive news...and with a huge sigh of relief...although things were a bit "dicey" for a few weeks. Lab re-test showed basically the same result re 27/29, with the value going down by only 1 point to 37. My dear sweet onc indicated he would normally overlook something like this since the numbers weren't significantly elevated, but as it happens, I was also separately undergoing a workup with my gastro doc during this same time period for some troubling gastro symptoms and an ultrasound showed potential issues of an abdominal nature prompting a CT scan for further evaluation. The CT scan ruled out any abdominal issues (yay!) but showed an incidental finding in the lower lobe of my right lung with a nodule that had grown in size since a prior study several years ago. So the modest increase in 27/29 coupled with the incidental CT scan finding bought me a PET scan. Got those results the other day. No concerning uptake and no cause for concern from the neck down! I can finally put this issue to rest. I very likely will request that my onc forego doing 27/29 labs in the future unless I'm experiencing related symptoms. Several tests and lots of anxiety that could have been avoided. On the plus side, though, as much as I dislike undergoing PET scans (mainly due to the fear factor and the psychological impact), this one gave me a clean bill of health and that's always a welcome outcome. 😊 Thought I'd share this news rather than leave my initial query open-ended just in case someone else happens upon it who had also experienced elevated 27/29 markers and was concerned.

2019whatayear

Thanks for the update, glad everything worked out-- a scary time for sure.

wallycat

Always generous of you ladies to post your updates! So happy things are normal.

Anonymous

Dear Sundance,

I am glad to read this. I have dealing with a similar issue as you were right now and have posted as such at this same discussion thread, though my values were a bit higher than yours. It was good to read this update.

Claire in AZ