Will routine (annual physical) blood tests show a metastasis?

ByFaith
ByFaith Member Posts: 270
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I just had my annual physical by my family practioner. I know which tests were ordered, the usual always checked in the past, typical for annual physicals, but part of the testing has always included my liver and kidney function studies and calcium, even prior to my BC dx.



I just had my 6-month oncology followup with bilateral mammo a month ago and my annual physical by my GP (with breast and full body exam) very recently. On both physical exams (oncology & GP), no masses or tenderness. No bone pain. Bilateral mammo normal.



A couple years ago my calcium was ever so marginally (point or two) elevated and my onc said not to worry. I was told to reduce my high calcium supplementation and all subsequent calcium levels have been normal.



QUESTION: Are routine (not cancer marker) blood tests the usual way a metastasis is identified? I've also been on Arimidex for 3 years: can Arimidex affect blood test results? To date, my blood tests have been fine, but I'm a worry wart today. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited July 2013

    I wonder the same thing. Do mets show up in blood tests? And if so, which ones. Would the liver values be high (for instance)

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2013

    I'm also concerned because I thought they had to check liver and kidney function blood tests while taking Arimidex, so an elevation could be related to that?



    How do most metastases show up? Patient complaint, physical exam, or blood tests?



    I have no routine scans scheduled.

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited July 2013

    Some people get tumor markers and they show up that way. Others show up by having symptoms which the dr will usually do a scan to find out if the symptom is caused by mets. I don't think regular blood tests will be an indicator, unless its something like hypercalcemia, which can happen with bone mets. I think the mets would be pretty extensive to cause that but I'm not sure. I had tumor markers done regularly for 8 years and that's how mine were found. I had no symptoms. Not sure how long it would have taken to get symptoms if I hadn't had the tm done. I started treatment right away and still have no symptoms so I'm glad that's how my dr does things.

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  • gonegirl
    gonegirl Member Posts: 1,871
    edited July 2013

    For some folks tumor markers are an indication, for some people not. For us mets folks, we get regular bone and ct scans or a PET scan. For me my liver readings didn't go bad until my liver was pretty much covered. The general guideline is any pain lasting more than two weeks, talk to your MO. Beyond that, chill.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited July 2013

    Things can be very wrong & not show up. I had massive ascites & absolutely normal liver labs.

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2013

    Thanks for the replies. So many of you, including you gritgirl, have been though so much. I feel ashamed I was worried for even a moment about routine labs. You've reminded me that worrying is of no value. You'd never believe I was such a cheerful and strong patient between preliminary dx through surgery and radiation. Very unlike me; I think the shock kept me going.



    I'm blessed to receive my medical care at one of the most prestigious medical centers in the nation. I bring this up only because this highly respected med center has never given me a tumor marker test, to my knowledge, and I keep close track of all my care and keep detailed records. I do ask my MO a lot of questions, but never asked why no tumor marker tests. I assumed they felt (in my personal case) the tumor marker test was unreliable or unnecessary, but have no idea.



    Do most BC patients get tumor marker tests?

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2013

    Hard to say if "most" patients get tumor market tests. Because they are not accurate for a good number of patients, it's a mixed bag. I have never had tumor marker testing. My single bone met was discovered by accident during unrelated imaging. No pain, no symptoms. I think I'm what every early stager fears the most.

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2013

    My mom was a lifelong very heavy smoker and was diagnosed with lung cancer many years ago. We only found out she had a brain metastasis when one morning she suddenly started to drop things and couldn't write her name (at all) legibly. She was receiving tumor marker tests and very regular followup visits, but that is how we ultimately found out. She was my hero (still is), and I wish I'd inherited all of her personal courage and strength.



    Hugs to all my BC sisters ....
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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2013

    Thanks to all my sweet, caring and strong BC sisters. You're more of a support to me than you could ever know.



    Big hugs to all of you ....

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited July 2013

    I think the markers are not recommeded as a standard of care and I did get a hassle with the ins co once and my onc wrote a letter then they paid. He said he disagrees with that because there are so many treatments that can help mets now that the TM can be helpful in some cases in finding it earlier than it would be found with symptoms. When he called me to tell me mine went up he said he had just been to a conference where they said they were not recommeding to do them. I think he wanted to wait for another one but since that conference he thought I would not be able to get another one paid for so we should act and get a scan. Maybe I'm an exception and I do realize they are not accurate for everyone, but I think waiting for symptoms is a shitty way to do it. I got treatment right away and pretty much live normally for a year now. If I waited for symptoms I may have needed surgery or rads or had pain. And he is stingy with pain meds!

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  • ByFaith
    ByFaith Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2013

    Hi HLB ... just saw your reply today. Sounds like it's been quite a blessing that TMs have been very beneficial for you. Many men get the PSA routinely when it is definitely not a foolproof marker, yet most insurance companies pay for PSAs. When it comes to making these decisions whether to use TMs, I hope the insurance companies have no hand in the "standard of care" decisions. I'm so glad your onc goes to bat for you!

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited July 2013

    Dawnsm, no routine blood tests will not show a metastisis.  They do mammograms for local recurrence and wait for symptoms for metastatic recurrence.

    Even if tumor markers worked for you (they don't work for me) it wouldn't be part of a regular blood test.

    Try not to worry.  I know it's hard but don't borrow trouble.

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  • netty46
    netty46 Member Posts: 296
    edited July 2013

    Dawnmsn, blood test such as elevated alk-phosphate, calcium and liver enzymes if elevated might alert them to something.

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