Elevated ca27.29

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llh1071
llh1071 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I just finished treatment, (surgery, chemo, and radiation) a few months ago and my PET scan in March came back clean.  I went to my oncologist last week for a checkup and got a call today from her nurse letting me know I have an elevated ca27.29 marker.  It is 117 where normal is <38!  She told me they are scheduling another scan, either PET or CT with bone density, as soon as possible.  I've been doing research all day and there seems to be so many opinions as to whether this marker is reliable or not.  My question is, if it's not reliable, why do they run the test at all?  Is there anyone out there who had an elevated ca27.29 marker who ended up with cancer again?  Recurrence has been my biggest fear and I told my doctor that last week but she told me the odds are against it.  But somebody's got to make up that small percent, right?  I could use some advice!  Thanks!

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited July 2011

    Awwww man, I absolutely hate waiting for test results.  I wish I had an anwer to your question but I am sure someone will come along who has more answers for you.  Please come back and post how things go for you.  I wish you all the best!

    Hugs,

    Susan

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  • llh1071
    llh1071 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2011

    Thanks for your post, Susan.  The PET scan did find an active lymph node under my RIGHT armpit (BC was in left breast).  I am having a biopsy this Tuesday.  They also found a growth on my left ovary that suggests a cyst so I am going to my GYN also on Tuesday.  I hope it's just a cyst and they can remove it.  I'm considering asking about a hysterectomy.  I don't want the scare of having another growth.  Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I'm terrified.

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  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited July 2011

    I think it depends what your tumor markers were in the past. Were they always low, and now there was this jump to 117.  They are reliable only about 50% of the time. If your number has always jumped around, it probably is nothing.  For me, they are accurate. When I was diagnosed,  and for 5 years later, they were between 9 & 11.  When my liver mets were found, they had jumped to 50. Now, I am NED, and they are back to 9. 

    Hopefully, they are not accurate for you, and this 117 means nothing.

    Laurie

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited July 2011

    How did your biopsy and gyn visit go?

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  • mamaof3bugs
    mamaof3bugs Member Posts: 198
    edited July 2011

    I can completely relate!  I am in the same boat right now...my ca27-29 is up from the 20s to 38.  And my CA15-3 is up from  >.7 to 1.  I am freaking out too!  I am hoping against hope that I don't have mets but I am fading fast :(  Have you found any more out??  Praying for you! Angi

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  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited July 2011

    My thoughts exactly, why the hell do they do those tests if they can be elevated from B9 reasons, ie, cysts, fibroids, fatty liver, etc.  I just had an ultra sound on Uterus w/trans vaginal US.  Saturday I am having a CT scan, just to rule things out or find the reason mine is elevated.  The US did show that I still have uterine fibroids, let's see what shows up on the CT scan. WTH!!!

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  • llh1071
    llh1071 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2011

    Ultrasound confirmed the cyst and bloodwork confirmed it is not cancerous.  YAY!  I had the biopsy done Tuesday of my lymph node and still waiting for the results.  First they told me Thursday, then Friday, and now they say it takes a week for results!  Thank God for Xanax!  I will post my results when I get them.

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  • bookgirl
    bookgirl Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2011

    I got my first ever CA27.29 this week and will be joining you on the boat of the freaked out. It was 37, just barely in the normal range so will be waiting 3 mos for a second test to compare. I have managed to move back in to the totally thought obsessed "what if" state. I hate the way cancer effects our bodies and steals our peace of mind. I'll be thinking about you and praying for good results!

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited July 2011

    bookgirl,

    What is the ca27.29 and why are you getting this almost three years after dx?   Just curious, since I just reached three years this month and have not had this test.  Thanks......................Caren

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  • bookgirl
    bookgirl Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2011

    My guess is because I was starting to feel good and light and cancer was not the first or last thing I was thinking about morning and night.....like my anxiety was ever very far away from my ear. Anyway the test is to check tumor markers, both my BC and Onc requested them as they were about to release me from 6 mo checks to once yearly. They also did Mamo, ultra sound (for a lingering hemoatoma) and MRI and several other blood tests were all good. Even the Cea test was normal. The only concern was I was in the high normal for CA27.29. They are both very thorough and pro active working closely together. I understand not all drs use these for early stage since they are not super reliable. OH WELL Anxiety likes to keep me company at night, I wish it wouldn't.

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  • thegoodfight
    thegoodfight Member Posts: 560
    edited July 2011

    Thanks for the info bookgirl.   I see my onc in August and I will ask, just to see what he says.  I am still on every 3 months so maybe I will graduate to every 6.

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited July 2011

    Bookgirl,

    Any type of inflammation will have an effect on the CA27.29 test.  If you had a cold, allergies or any type of arthritis at the time of your test, it will rise your numbers. Some Oncs use the test and others dont.  Mine checks it each time I have blood drawn. 

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  • bookgirl
    bookgirl Member Posts: 128
    edited July 2011

    Thanks for the reassurance! I hate medial tests and Waiting for test results is the worst. It was a stressful week to add the tumor marker tests, we waited for results for my daughter's biopsy (B9 thank God) my folks are having a tough time and I am seeing how frail they are getting (they always seemed like rocks) I appreciate the ears and kind words and support on these boards. The best therapy one could ask for....Take care!

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  • llh1071
    llh1071 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    TUMOR IS BENIGN!  My doc wants to rerun the blood work in six weeks and do another pet scan sooner rather than later.  Thanks for everyone's input!

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  • bookgirl
    bookgirl Member Posts: 128
    edited August 2011

    WONDERFUL! So glad for the update. Enjoy the feelingSmile

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  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,326
    edited August 2011

    Hi, so glad all is ok! I just posted about high tumour markers too (CA15-3).

    These tests sure do put you through the ringer. Are you on any hormonal therapy at the moment?

    Because I've done tamoxifen already I've now been started on zoladex & letrozole just in case the tumour markers are indicating micromets or something...

    Maybe a bit drastic based on the markers alone, but gives me some peace of mind knowing that I'm doing my best to beat this disease :) 

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  • llh1071
    llh1071 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    Yes, I'm on Tamoxifen.

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  • LakeArrowheadgirl
    LakeArrowheadgirl Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2012

    I also had my last (6th TC) on 1/19/12 and just while I was hoping to start my life again and start celebrating when my oncologist called today and said my CA27-29 went up to 49! I inquired what my previous scores were and was told, 9/23/11- 44, (prechemo), 9/29/11- 38, (prechemo), 10/13/11 -36 (post 1 chemo).Help, I am freaking out and devastated! He evidentally never checked my TM's after the 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th chemos, and waits til I am done to give me this news. I am waiting for auth for a PET SCAN. If anyone can give me any reasurance because they have had a similar experience which hopefully was a false positive scare please post. My oncologist didn't think an infection or inflammation would cause this yet I have read other posts stating that they can.HELP! 

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  • jlee2511
    jlee2511 Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2012

    Hello, the same exact thing happened to my mom. She was just a few days out from the last chemo treatment and the doctor ordred  the ca27.29. Her results were 46! Of cousre I panicked. First off her oncologist stated he would be suprised if it was mets because most of the time the number would be much higher and I have since learned that right after chemo the number can be elevated. Most doctors dont even run the test right after chemo because of this. Anyways, she was retested one year later and was at 24! Well within normal-praise God...I hope this brings you some peace, do a search on this web site for the ca27.29 and you will see it is quite common.

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