tumor marker

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w4c
w4c Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

My CA 15-3 test jumped 50%.  I was wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with a recurrence after tumor markers were elevated.

I was first diagnosed with ILBC in 1997 and have had three local recurrences.  I have had 8 yrs clear.

Thanks,

Pat

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  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited May 2010

    My Onco is having CA 15-3 checked every 4 months, I really don't understand what to look for....My first test was a 4 and my second (4 months later) is a 8.....This was done at different labs....I do not know if I should be concerned about the 50% rise being that it is within normal limits...Maybe you can share your knowledge of this test....Wishing you the best......

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  • mari65
    mari65 Member Posts: 131
    edited May 2010

    I would like to know how to know where to look for tumor markers. I have all my paper's from Mayo Clinic but, I can't figure out where to look and what to look for. I had a couple different bllod tests is that where I look? Thank you for any help.....

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  • mari65
    mari65 Member Posts: 131
    edited May 2010

    Anyone????

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  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited May 2010

    mari, I was trying to get help on this cite also and had no luck....I can tell you though that my follow-up blood work includes tumor marker tests and on blood work called...CA 15-3 and another one is CEA....Do you see anything like that on your blood test results???

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2010

    if you get a copy of your blood work; it should be listed in its own category...sometimes they come in later then the other blood work...and you may not see it. you can call your doc office and have the nurse tell you the value. 

    CEA is a fairly common tumor marker they take...although my onc stopped taking mine a few years ago.

    CA15-3 is usually taken every time you go in for blood work. ALTHOUGH..some onc don't believe in tunor markers as they are not always reliable.

    you can always go to where ever you get your blood work done and get a copy...ask them. you have a right to all your records. i always get copies of my blood work so i can see how i am doing.

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2010

    as long as your tumor markers are "within normal range" usually they don't worry. HOWEVER..there are people who have their tumor markers in normal range and they still had mets.  that is why many onc's don't pay a lot of attention to them.  mets are usually found when you have pain....thickenings...lumps.or other physical symptoms..and then of course your other blood work that looks at liver enzymes and calcuim (abnormally high calcium levels sometimes indicate something going on in your bones)...they really look at the BIG picture when concern for mets.  but, there is no sure way...some people have mets with NO symptoms....cancer is very sneaky...

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