Should I be concerned about my mom's tumor markers?

Options
pp729
pp729 Member Posts: 135
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi all, my mom is 3 years out from BC and is NED.  She sees her MO about every 3-4 months.  He's been tracking her CA15-3 levels since 2011 and they are always in the 23-25ish range.  This past time, it was 25.8 (high by a bit).  Since she's always tracked in the high end of the range, I am assuming that there's nothing to worry about? 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited March 2014

    Nothing to worry about...... a few point change is not to worry.  Also certain things can bump it up.... ie. cold, infection, etc.   My range has been 15-21...but a few times it has gone to 25 and 28.  My oncologist is looking for 20-30 point change.  I hate tumor markers.....unneeded stress!!!!! 


    Hope this helps.


    Jacqueline

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited March 2014

    I just asked my oncologist that very question at my appointment with her last week. She doesn't believe in the tests - why? because she said there are too many false positives plus I have an early stage cancer with a grade 1 tumor that doesn't warrant doing the test to begin with. My sister, however, does have the test. She has ILC and lives in another state from me. Her numbers have risen slightly too but her oncologist isn't concerned either. As Jacqueline said the numbers have to rise drastically before they get concerned and even then only it they are consistently rising. Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited March 2014

    Thanks so much Yatcomw and edwards750 for your post.  Make sense!!  I appreciate your insight.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    My onc does tumor marker tests but I don't know why if they are so unreliable as far as false positives. I am also a low grade 1 tumor.  My onc does do scans when he's worried something might be up.

    Oceana

    marvelous-nicole-rodriguez.jpg (180×119)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories