Tumor markers rising?

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Chelee
Chelee Member Posts: 513
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I've been having my tumor markers done ever 3 to 4 months since being dx with bc which was 3 yrs & 8 moths ago.  I'm Her2, stage IIIA, 5 pos nodes.  The first yr during treatment they were always 15 or 18.  Stayed that way for a while.  But I've noticed the tumor markers have been slowly rising exactly 4 months after I finished my Herceptin infusions.   You can see the slow increase over time, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, & 46.  My onc wanted to run then again last wk when she saw they were 46 and in one wks time they now jumped to 53.  (They have not went down even once...only up.)  :o

I'm really worried.  I know TM'ers are not always reliable...but has anyone here had their markers be stable for a long time then slowly go up and stay up...only to find out it was nothing?  I have a PET/CT set-up this coming week but I'm sure stressed out about this.  Mine were always so stable. 

Chelee

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited September 2009

    Chelee

    I know you are scared and it is awful all the fear we must deal with, I understand why you are concerned the numbers are a steady climb, however it is not definitive. If you go under "search' and look under "tumor marker" there is a lot of info re: ladies that have struggled with this issue. I know one lady on here had a TM of 70 and it ended up being inflammation and it came back down. It is good that you are having a PET then you can put your mind to rest with real answers.

    How long have you been off Herceptin have you changed drugs recently in terms of your AI or tamox, all of these things can be a factor?  I will keep positive thoughts for you.

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited September 2009

    Hi Chelee

    I really hope that everything will turn out fine. I saw in some of your other posts that you have scoliosis. Maybe that could be an explanation (increase in inflammation)? Best wishes

    -Helena.

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  • fateena
    fateena Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2009

    hey all, and hey chelee, my mom got just the same issue as u after 6 dosages of herceptin., my mom is indicated with HER2+ , next saturday she is scheduled to start another 6 dosages, i`d like to note that the tumor marker increased from 46-53-59, during the last 3 dosages, i`d like a relief or explanation on this, i dont go to the doctor with her! and i wanna make sure wuts wrong?

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited September 2009

    Good luck with your Pet scan Chelee. never a dull moment with cancer is there?

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited September 2009

    I had my PET/CT early this morning...7:30 AM.  Now I have to wait till my Thurs appt with my onc. (Waiting sucks big time as you all can relate.)

    mmm5,  I did check out the search on this board and every other one I could find.  I'm almost blind at this point.  lol  But most of what I found doesn't sound good.  :(  Slow rising TM'ers just aren't good.  But I do see there are a few things they can be related to like Helena67 said.  I do have severe scoliosis and chemo sure didn't help it any.  I'm sure I do have some inflammation.  I did read on "PubMed" where some woman that had bc also had interstitial lung fibrosis that caused elevated C27.29.  All my PET/CT's from my 1st baseline shows I have interstitial lung diease...however it has remained unchanged and was NOT getting worse thank goodness.  They think it was caused from my scoliosis...it affects the way your lungs work.  My lungs are compromised.  So that might be a reason for it. 

    My last infusion of Herceptin was on 3-19-07.  That's when I noticed 4 months after completing Herceptin they slowly over time started going up.  (Makes me wonder if I had gotten to stay ON Herceptin like I asked too)  I'll never know though.  As to AI's...I was on and off of them...and also on and off Zoladex.  (Long story!)  My FSH & Estradiol would NEVER drop into menopausal range...so I had an ooph...even after a ooph it took 1 yr and 7 months to drop into menopause range.  In fact I was wondering if that could play a part in my rising TM'ers?  

    Chelee

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited September 2009

    Maryanncb,  You are SO right...never a dull moment...cancer...the gift that keeps on giving.  I sure hate cancerland...it sucks.  I see so many woman that refer to their cancer journey...everyone is different but I have to admit...I do not call my a journey...I call it a freaking nightmare!  I just continue to pray that I can stay well enough...long enough for technology to catch up with ALL of us. 

     fateena,  As to your Mother...did she have other chemo drugs along with Herceptin...or JUST Herceptin?  If she had other chemo drugs that CAN make your tumor markers rise..that can be very normal.  Now Herceptin alone I wouldn't think would do that...but then again...every body is different.  Its so hard to say.  Some times the markers will rise when the chemo is killing off the cancer...so it might be a GOOD sign from what I've read.  (If I'm wrong....someone please feel free to correct me please.)  Have your Mother ask her onc what he or she thinks about the rising TM'ers?  She has a right to know.  I know how frustrating and worriesome all this can be.  If you find anything out let us know.  Hang in there.

    Chelee

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited September 2009

    Chelee, my TM s have always been low, even when I had BC, but I asked my old Onc about when to worry and he said he doesn't get concerned until they get into the 80's and over.

    Hope that helps you a little.

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