Yet another Stupid Tumor Marker Problem :)

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MiniMacsMom
MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

So I got my US today after 12 weekly taxols and the 1.2 cm lymphnode in my chest the radiologist can't even find it!!  and the one in my armpit is shrinking!! Woot.  However, my tumor marker Ca Ag 15/3 is elevated from 20 prechemo to 41 today.   What kinds of stuff causes these tumor markers to fluxuate?  My onc says he is going to order another pet scan when I finish the FAC in 12 weeks... which is all fine and dandy to make sure everything is gone but I just don't understand the implication of the tumor marker..  Its kinda like a slow leak in my happy hellium (or lorazepram from chemo) balloon!  Thanks for all the info!

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited February 2012

    sometimes the chemo causes the marker to elevate because it is working on the cancer cells.  my marker also elevated during chemo but then dropped to normal after treatment.  i know it is scarey when the marker elevates but give it some time to return to normal after you finish treatment.

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited February 2012

    :)  Thanks.  The doctor said he wasn't worried but I couldn't get him to explain or blame it on the chemo ;)  I am sooo happy about the shrinking that it was just a little bit of a bummer.  Thanks for the fast response!

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited February 2012

    The day my chemo was finished I had a tumor marker test, and it was 1 point lower that when I started chemo. I was so bummed, all my scans looked good too. Well, 6 weeks later, my tm's finally fell into the normal range and then 6 weeks after that they were even lower. I don't even know why they take them during chemo or that close to chemo. I bet you will see better numbers in the future!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited February 2012

    I'm happy to hear you have shrinking, good sign...congrats!  I have heard also that the markers can fluxuate during chemo, that is why my onc never did them.  Her exact words were, "I don't do them, I don't trust them and they make us worry for nothing"  I had a mammo done during chemo and the rad. dr said the tumor looked worse and was growing comparing it to the original first one.  Talk about a leak in your balloon, I was crushed so I understand.  He was wrong (it was digital first was not), point is....there will be some disappointing bumps but you just keep looking forward and moving on with your plan. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2012

    Dear Minimacsmom, 
     
    In addition to the good feedback from the members, you may want to check out the information on the main breastcancer.org site on Blood Tumor Markers.   There is also a Q & A on the site asking are Tumor Markers Reliable?
     
    We hope this helps.
     
    The Mods 
     
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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited February 2012

    My onc doesn't even do tumor markers until 3 - 6 months after chemo

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  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited February 2012

    Hi,  My onc also does not do tumor markers until 3 - 6 months after chemo.  SharonH

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  • stephanie1
    stephanie1 Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2012

    Hi, I am hoping it will make you feel better to know that my CEA tumor marker was steadily rising after I finished chemo. Every 90 day check the number was moving up for about 9 months. They sent me for a PET scan because they were concerned. The PET was normal. Then on the next 90 day check my number mysteriously started going down and now for the last six months has stayed exactly the same. I really think that your body has to level off after chemo and rads. So try not to worry too much about the markers.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited February 2012

    I had a tumor marker (CEA) taken during my initial biopsy and didn't get another one until about 6 months after chemo. 

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited February 2012

    Thanks for the pick me up ladies!!!  Dr. Alvarez said he wasn't worried but didn't explain why.  He said if its still elevated after FAC we will do another PET scan, but again couldn't explain the whys of it.  I am a very detailed person so its good to know that chemo can make it increase :) 

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2012

    My tumor markers up during Taxol and, of course, my onc was on vacation that week.  What Diana said is what I was told, also.  

    Don't pay attention to your markers right now!!  If you need to, tell your nurse and onc that you don't want to know the number unless they are concerned. 

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited February 2012

    Tumor markers can rise due to benign inflammation.....as the chemo goes thru your organs, especially your liver....you can see both tumor markers and your liver markers (AST and ALT) rise...mine went up during chemo....and after chemo they went back down to normal.

    I know how the head can wander......but I am pretty sure this is all you are experiencing.....something to think about later if you continue to do tumor markers.... ie don't do them when you have a cold, stomache virus etc....as that inflammation will affect it again.

    Hope this helps.

    Jacqueline

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited February 2012

    Thanks everyone the inflammation thing makes so much sense.  I was also in the hospital last week for maybe a viral infection?  they don't know, but that probably didn't help matter either.  I knew the MO was doing CTC tests, but I had never noticed the tumor marker tests, so it just freaked me out a bit.  THanks again for the fast responses!

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