please help with Tumor Markers!!!!!!

These tumor markers are just the pits, aren't they?  I am waiting for another test next week to make sure mine are not still elevated.  I started at 27 before chemo (after surgery) and went up to 47 during chemo.  Redid the test 2 weeks later and it was at 38 (which is just barely in the normal range)  Yes, I am glad it didn't go up further, but my onc wants to do another test next week "just to make sure we are still in the normal range."  She explained tumor markers are like blood pressure readings.  THey fluctuate all the time, but the overall trend is what we have to look at.  She said if I have within normal blood pressure readings all the time, and then one day come in and have a reading of 150/120 she's not going to freak out and prescribe blood pressure lowering meds!  She will assume its a "bad day" and redo the test in a week or two and go from there.  I'm still freaking out, though, even with all she says.

I had a bone scan 2 weeks ago and got the all-clear, but now one of my ribs has been hurting for about 3-4 days.  It feels like it is bruised and tender to the touch when I put any pressure on it.  I am very thin and think it may very well have just gotten bruised from carrying around my 1 year old.  My rib bones do stick out now on the mastectomy side because there is no more cushion there!   But of course, I still go to that "bad place" in my mind!  BC sure has us all living our life on pin cushions!  I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.  Do you think it could be something there even though I got a clear scan just 2 weeks ago?  Of course as I type it I think of how silly that must seem--of course cancer can't show up in 2 weeks!  But, like I said, I'm a sitting pin cushion now and nothing is too crazy anymore in my mind!

Hi mm5, I had a feeling you would find my post!   I didn't know you had the MRI, but am so glad to hear it was clear.  Gosh, I find myself already stressing out over every ache and pain and I'm only 5 months from my original diagnosis.  I can't imagine ever feeling normal again.  You are quite a bit ahead of me, but STILL having these terrible anxieties that I'm talking about!  My rib is still sore, by the way.  How long do you think a bruised rib should take to heal?  Under normal circumstances I would be pretty sure I just did something to it carrying around the baby.  I probably wouldn't even have given it a 2nd thought.  However. . . . . . . . well you know.

I really hate tumor markers. I swear they are just as stressful now as they were the day I first learned about them (when I was diagnosed just a few days after my 37th bday). Mine have always gone all over the place. Generally we track 27.29 but because they bounce (21-31), we also added CEA which isn't supposed to vary as much - BUT, even that seems to vary with me. Overall my numbers generally run higher than they used to.

I used to run a low CEA but now it runs in the mid 2s. For whatever reason my body seems to throw larger numbers. It's all TERRIBLY annoying! Every time, like today, when I get numbers back that are still considered "normal" but still higher than they used to be, I try to remind myself to be thankful that they are what/where they are - and not doing gigantic jumps (believe me - I am thankful!). I've always tracked but in many ways I wish I didn't and just had my onc tell me "they're good!"

I'm post-menopausal (b/c of an oophorectomy in '05), and I swear the hormonal changes as I moved to being firmly post-menopausal, have some impact. And, like others have said, other factors can influence markers - again - annoying!

May 20, 2004...Diagnosed with BC...left side, chemo, mast and recon...Clean since then.....May 20, 2009...tumor markers began to go up ...every three months they continued to rise.  three PET scans during that period showed absolutely nothing.  THEN THE BOMB FELL !

In March, "CARACOID PROCESS" a bone  located in the shoulder, either fractured and/or strained... was told being a non-weight bearing bone had to be something else...after every scan and test available, bone scan lit it up to be more than a fracture and/or strain.  Biopsy a month ago determined to be breast cancer....  PET scan three weeks ago now shows shoulder, sternum and back rib involved...  If not for the fractured/strained injury, wonder how much longer all of this would have continued.  I am saddened but know it is not the end of the world....Back to this wonderful information and communication center....  I am so very happy to be able to communicate with all of you.  Especially during the night when sleep does not come as easily these last couple of weeks..Thanks again and God bless...

• Hi, I guess I am looking for some feed back on my tumor makers.I had my makers done 7mo ago
• at that time they wore 39 (27-29) then a mo later they were 43 then they went to 47, then a month later they were down to 43.  I had cat scan, bone scan and pet scan all came back clear

thank God!  now i will have TM again on June 14th, I am very scared, its all I can think about.  All my TM run hi about 36-38 since I've dx two and yrs ago.  Thanks for listening any advice

Betty

tchmuzik-thanks for your response I was diagnosed NOV. 29 2007 so I am right with you.  I do consider each day a gift also.  I know God is in-charge but that don't mean I don't worry.  I will be thinking about you on the 14th sending you positive thoughts and I will let you know how they turned out. 

Betty

I agree, maybe they just want to see if there is a big jump.  My oncologist uses the same lab all the time.

Betty

My onc never mentioned markers to me. He never sends me for test he said he wouldn't even do a bloodtest if I weren't in a trial program.I asked him how he would know if it came back if he doesn't do cat scans or anything he told me by listening to me and what I tell him. I was doing fine not thinking about it until now. I am going on five years and now I am getting just as scared as I was when I first found out. Does anyone else have a doctor that does not send them for testing? And did you go through the same feeling when it got to be towards the five years, I am feeling so scared because it seems like everything is starting to hurt 

Betty - everything was great with me - as well.   I went yesterday and was so excited when they said the markers were fine.    We sold our house Sunday night so I was a little rattled by that and then - of course - concerned that - oh boy - we've sold our house and what if the markers aren't good?   Now it's pack, pack, pack!!   I'm going to have to hire someone to help me do the heavy stuff because I have to be so careful with my right arm - if I do too much it starts to go numb and tingle - can't get lymphadema - no WAY!!   I will - for sure - wear my compression sleeve - and that will help.   Do you have a problem with that - I see you had lymph nodes removed too.   So glad you had a good report - now we don't have to worry for the next 6 months.   HOORAY!!

Enjoy your summer - 

 Stephanie

many wrote:



I got my wife's blood work done Ca 15.3 ---13.5 (last month 16.7). CEA ----3.1 ( last month 2.5 ). Normal CEA should be 0- 2.5 but it is slightly elevated She has mild fibrosis in lungs ,could this fibrosis be responsible for a slight increase in CEA Plz guide

many wrote:



I got my wife's blood work done Ca 15.3 ---13.5 (last month 16.7). CEA ----3.1 ( last month 2.5 ). Normal CEA should be 0- 2.5 but it is slightly elevated She has mild fibrosis in lungs ,could this fibrosis be responsible for a slight increase in CEA Plz guide

No ,the doctor is not concerned

Netty congratulations on the shrinking tumour!

I know it's hard but try not to worry until you have something to worry about...hopefully you will get some results soon.

I'm sorry but I don't know why your dr is ordering all these tests while you are on chemo - that didn't happen with me but each case is different and each dr is different.  Maybe someone else had a similiar experience and can post about it?

Could it have something to do with monitoring your breast tumour and to see if you chemo cocktail is working for you??? 

I had to push my MO to order me a Bone Scan and C/T scan after I TOLD him that my CA 153 had been doubling the last 2 times (Feb and Sept).  He was like "see you in 6 months".

He didn't think it was that high but it went from 17 to 36 to 75 at 6 month intervals.  He said he's seen them go into the hundreds and then 6 months later come down to normal again....this gives me hope. 

BUT I too am a bit worried about all the radiation...while I was at the hospital on Monday for my C/T scan they wanted me to go have a chest xray.  

Is that normal procedure after a C/T or did they want it becuase there was something there on the scan?  I hate going to that dark place in my head but it's always there isn't it after a cancer dx...

I had to tell them that I had a CLEAR Chest Xray 3 weeks ago and I was not prepared to have another one without speaking to my doctor first. 

So they said "ok you can go" as I was waiting for them to tape up my iv hand another tech came by and told me she was there to take me for my chest xray.  What the heck??? 

I told her the same story and then she said she'd check and came back a few minutes later and apologized for the mix up and sent me on my way.

In the last month I've had a foot xray, a chest xray, a mammogram, a pelvic u/s, an abdominal u/s, a bone scan and now a C/T scan.  

I think I'm done for now unless someone tells me I need another test/scan for sure. 

I hope you get some answers soon... 

Marie no actually her clinical notes state chemo working on breast residual.

As I mentioned I just had every scan under the moon just in July all clear.  I mean EVERY SCAN.  My markers I hear are just slightly up.  Yes I also had 17 then went to 36 since i started chemo on the ca 153 ,  cea is normal,   and ca27.29  47.

I have to disagree that tumor markers are not accurate for early stage. I was diagnosed stage 2 in 2005, and had the ca 27/29 done regularly. From 2005 until 2010 it fluctuated between 9-11. In July, 2010, it jumped up to 50. It turned out I had liver mets. It has been very accurate for me, and I am sure Im not the only one that tm's have indicated that there truly is a problem.







Laurie