Tumor markers up

Maureen813
Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer


Went to the onc had routine blood work then BAM. Ca 25.29 markers went from 23 to 45 in 3 months. I'm scared. Going for scans Friday. Question: what is your experience with markers?

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Maureen, my TMs have been staple so far. But my mom had several TM scares during her five years of being followed after ovarian cancer. Each time it turned out to be nothing. I hope it is the same for you. Apparently a lot of things other than cancer can make them go up. One of the reasons some doctors are not that fond of them.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited October 2013


    Maureen, I can't speak to your concerns about tumor markers firsthand because my ONC doesn't run the test on my BC; at least on a regular basis. When she did order the test a year ago her nurse reassured me that the test was fine. I am like what test? Good thing they didn't tell me about it beforehand because I am a worrier anyway so I didn't know yet another test to freak out about. Since I found out about the test I asked her nurse why she didn't order the test and she said there were no indications on the blood test to prompt them to do so. She also said the same thing Momine wrote...a lot of Oncologists don't particularly like to keep track of markers because there are so many factors that can affect the numbers. I understand your fears but I wouldn't assume it is indicative of something dire. Do you typically have scans following the bloodwork? I have Stage 2, Grade 1 IDC. I have never had a scan and my Oncotype score was very low - 11 so according to my doctors I am not a candidate for additional tests or scans. I guess that is a good thing...for now. Good luck. Diane

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited October 2013


    Thanks ladies. I appreciate the feedback. I've had a particularly nasty cold for 5 weeks. Also my tumor markers have gone from 19 to 45 in one year. Doubled in 3 months hence the reason for the scans. My onc draws the markers every 3 months. I've been doing so well and now this.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    A cold can make them go up. Chin up and let us know how the scans go.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited October 2013


    John Hopkins University Breast Cancer clinic doesn't do tumor markers unless one is stage 4....for this very reason. I refused them, despite my doctor's advice. As JH says, if you have symptoms, they will do them because treatments will remain the same whether the mets are small or large. Your cold has everything to do with the markers going up. Get well soon!

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited October 2013


    Thank you so much. You all are wonderful. I appreciate the talk to take me off the ledge. LOL

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  • kindone
    kindone Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2013


    I told you Maureen its form your cold

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  • kindone
    kindone Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2013

    Bump

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2013


    Hey Maureen, Just curious how the scan went. I just found out today my TM's are up and dr wants to repeat them in 3 wks...great, 3 wks of worrying! This is the first time for me so I'm freaking out a bit. I want to break down but I'm at work so trying to hold it together....save it for the ride home I guess. Like you I've had a terrible cold/sinus infection and I'm hoping its just that. When I ask my dr about this she didn't seem to think it would make them go up. I hate this crap, its so hard to be positive and move on when this stuff happens. Thanks for listening to me vent.

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013

    no problem.  I'm still going through testing.  They've done CT scans, MRI's US, PET, tomorrow Bone MRI and Friday I'm having bone biopsy.  I'm so scared.  I'm barely getting through the day.  I do know that imflammation can drive TM's up. I'm praying for you. thanks for posting.

    Maureen

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Maureen, why are they giving you a bone biopsy and where? Please keep us posted. Testing and scanning suck so bad, I am sorry you are dealing with all that.


    Jenny, sorry that you are having a scare too.

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013


    I think my hip. They saw spots on my rib spine and hip they're not sure if it's degenerative issue or mets. I guess we will find out

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  • aaoaao
    aaoaao Member Posts: 593
    edited November 2013


    I agree most doctors don't normally run markers unless you're Stage IV. My MO never ran them on me, but since I dx Stage IV, I get them monthly. The reason I was told was for some women they aren't reliable and for early stagers they usually don't show much since markers measure proteins that cancer sheds off in the blood stream. So if you don't have mets, there usually isn't a large amount to be found. Most ONCs wait until you become symptomatic to run scans and markers. Your climb in markers should be checked but they aren't horribly high. Other things can make markers rise too. I wish you the best..I would tell you not to worry too much because it won't help but we're human and we can't help but to worry.

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013


    thanks for response. I'm scared and that won't change until I know either way. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I feel like I fought so hard for nothing. Kind of down today. Just say a prayer.

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2014


    My tumor markers have been creeping up steadily since April. It's so scary. I'm still within the normal range and my onc says he isn't particularly worried. But I sure am. So I can relate!


    I have been on chemo since April, so I'm hoping it's just an artifact of being on chemo.


    But I"m thinking of you Maureen and Jenny!! I'm right there with you!!

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited November 2013


    Ok..don't like hearing the three of you are dealing with tumor markers rising!! So sorry for the worry and fear, but truly have heard of them going up for several woman and than coming down...I am holding on to that hope for each of you and covering it with prayer!! Please, each of you keep us posted as thats what we are here for! I had a scare last fall and know how dark, heavy and frightening it can be...don't choose to live there until all is known ( easier said than done) and know so many sisters have gone through scares and are fine.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Good thoughts and prayers for everyone dealing with scares right now.

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited November 2013

    Maureen, Jenny, Techtonik- wish you good luck with the follow ups. Hope and pray it's nothing , just a scare on the road. I hate TM's and haven't done them since last year. My onc loves them though...Prayers coming your way. Do let us know. 

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013


    Thanks all for the well wishes. Had my MRI today and bone biopsy tomorrow. I'm hoping all of this is for nothing Going to rest this weekend. Best wishes for all dealing with these creepy tumor markers.

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited April 2015

    Maureen, Jenny, & Techtonic - thinking of you.  

    Had my tumor markers checked for the first time this week.  

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  • heymoose
    heymoose Member Posts: 1,119
    edited November 2013


    Maureen, Jenny and Techtonic sending you Hugs and Prayers. I hope all goes well.


    Cheryl

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2020

    .

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited November 2013


    Maureen813...just checking in with you in regards to your scans.


    Jennyboog...I think and pray for you often as this just stinks with it being so near the holidays! But, there is so much hope that this is just a bump in TMs and that they will be nothing..really!! This is not advise nor do I think you should do as I did, but I'll share a bit of what I did last year. I had my blood work last Sept 2012, it showed an elevated ALK level. My MO was concerned but said no scan till a retake of blood work. Went to my BS for a check up in Oct and shared that my ALK was up...he ordered blood work that day. That showed that the ALK was up even higher..ugh! First of Nov I go back to my MO and he retakes the blood and it had dropped 8 points, but still too high and tells me to come back first of Dec....I decide NO! I was exhausted and wanted the holidays not more doc appointments...maybe not wise, but I took off from cancer for 6 weeks! No more blood work, check ups or cancer talk. My husband and I were the only ones to know I was dealing with elevated ALK levels. Again, maybe this was not wise, but mentally I wasn't even a year out from treatment and I wanted my first Holiday post treatment..so I took it! Yes, the fear was there, but I held out hope the ALK levels would go down when I went back in Jan. I focused on my family, holidays and lots of cooking! Went in Jan and my ALK was back in the normal range...thank you Lord! Now my ALK is on the low end of the normal range...go figure, but either way I have now made it a point of no doc visits for those 5-6 weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas...thats my Christmas gift to me! There my be a day were I have no choice, but for now that time is my safe world of denial!! Go bake some goodies with your sweet lil girl!!

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013


    sounds like a good plan I had a bone biopsy yesterday and feeling ok today. Usually clean the house on sat. But doing a little at a time. Results in 7-10 days. It's going to be a very long week.

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  • heymoose
    heymoose Member Posts: 1,119
    edited November 2013


    Hopefour what a nice gift to yourself. Holidays are stressful enough and then to add doctor visits, tests and scans, not a good time.


    Maureen, rest and take care of yourself.


    Hugs to all, Cheryl

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited November 2013


    Great advice, Hopefour....sounds like a plan I need to follow. Thinking of you Maureen, hoping all you've gone through was for nothing. Thanks everyone for the well wishes.

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2013


    hi all went to doc and not good news. I have bone mets

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited November 2013


    Maureen, that bites, I am so sorry.

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited November 2013

    Maureen, I am so sorry. I know it doesn't mean a lot but there are a number of ladies on this forum who have lived years and years with bone mets. Try and keep the faith; I can only imagine how hard it will be. Diane


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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited November 2013


    Maureen so sorry to hear your news. I was in the same boat this past spring. My tumour markers kept creeping up and so my MO started scanning. Funny though my markers went down just before my PET in January and by May I was having a bone biopsy of my hip which confirmed mets.


    I had 10 rounds of radiation in July and my markers were back down in the normal range at last check. I will be having them done again at the end of this month (yikes that's next week!) before I see my MO again on Dec 4.


    I was switched from Tamoxifen to Anatrazole (generic Arimidex) to see if that can stop anything else from brewing up!


    At first I was devastated and cried constantly but once I got a plan "of attack" organized and started treatment again I felt more in control.


    I hope that you feel more in control too once you get a treatment plan and more information.


    Hugs,


    Marie

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