Tumor Marker Freakout

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ck55
ck55 Member Posts: 346
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hey All,

Just got back from my Zometa infusion and while I was there I asked if they could print out my latest lab results from 2 weeks ago (had not gotten them in the mail from my onc yet).

Well, of course, my eyes always go directly to the CA 27.29. In the past it has ranged from 29 to 36.5, but usually stays in the low 30's. Today it was 40.5!!!!!!!!!!!! (normal range 0-38.6)

Naturally I am now completely freaking out. I would assume if the onc was worried she would have called or something. She usually sends the results with a little note.

Have any of you had your markers do this. I mean, I know it not sky high but I don't like any upward trend at all!

Please help talk me down. Frown

Thank you, Cyndi

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

    Mine also fluctuates.  The Onc nurse said any type of inflammation will spike the number.  Have you been sick, allergies had an injury? Mine spiked after I finished chemo.  Onc nurse said that was normal.

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  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2011

    Thanks sewingnut, no I have not been sick, no allergies.

    It is just that for the last 4 years of testing they have stayed nicely in the normal range and now this.

    Cyndi

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  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2011

    Thanks Sherri, that helps. Smile

    I am still waiting for the official results that my onc sends by mail. Usually there is some kind of note with them. Hopefully she will address this and perhaps suggest a retest.

    Cyndi

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  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited September 2011

    I would also ask for a retest.   Mine had always been low, 15-20, and then jumped to 50.  It turned out I had liver mets.   I don't mean to scare you, but they don't have to jump way into the hundreds before they could be signalling a problem.  If the number gets higher, I would insist on scans.

    Laurie

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    I'm sorry you're having this scare, sending you big hugs Cyndi.  I can't help with TM's, my dr doesn't do them but just wanted you to know we're here and my prayers are with you.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2011

    ck55 - My CA27/29 was in the normal range prior to chemo, but was double the high normal right after.  I was freaked too!  MO thought maybe lab error, I had also had a PET which was completely clear, so he re-tested about 3 weeks later.  The number had come down by half but was still about 5 points above high normal.  He attributed it to inflammation from chemo.  I will be testing again in a couple of weeks but I am wondering if it will be high again due to aching from Femara.  It is a finicky test - that is why a lot of docs don't like it.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited September 2011

    My CA 27.29 test results did a very gradual climb and from Dec until March went from 39 to 64.  They were completely indicative of a significant loco-regional recurrence.  I requested a test a month ago, after finishing AC and before T, and they were down to 44. 

    I think if you know how yours trend, you have a right to be concerned if you see an upward trend.  One test, however, does not make a trend.  Ask for a retest in a few weeks. 

    I hated my first MO for lots of reasons.  But he was watchful about tumor markers, and I did appreciate that attentiveness. 

    Michelle

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited September 2011

    My numbers are generally 17-22.....one time it spiked to 29 and I totally thought I was in big trouble.....was a mess....couldn't function.

    My oncologist had me re-do the test and it was back down to 22 and has fluctuated from 17-22 since. 

    I was glad he had me do a re-test as I would have been freaking out for months waiting for my next doctor's visit.  So for mental health...... I'd run the test again.   

    Jacqueline

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  • kindone
    kindone Member Posts: 523
    edited September 2011

    ck55, It seems like your TM numbers are at the high end of normal.  Mine are also, so if they fluctuate the will go out of the norm. Mine are steady at 35 so when they went up I was scanned head to toe, all clear.  They went to 47, now back down to 35.  So Good Luck and don't freak out.

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  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2011

    Thanks everybody. It is so nice to have people that understand what this is like! I try to talk to my husband and he just says "well, that isn't that high". I know he is right, but it doesn't help the concern.

    I actually got our all my lab result from the last few years and this is the way they have gone:26, 36.5, 36.5, 30, 27, 36.5, 33.5, 31, 33, 40.5.

    So they do jump around a bit. I guess am going to try not to worry too much and just see if the trend upward continues or if they come back down like they have in the past.

    Once again, thanks to all you amazing women!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Cyndi

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