Elevation of Tumor Markers

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awnie1301
awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
edited November 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi  All,

I am a bundle of worry and nerves. I finished treatment in April. I started Tamoxifen in May and just recently switched to Femara after having my ovaries removed about 3-4 weeks ago. I had a clear PET in May. 

Today was my first day back to work and I find out my tumor markers(ca 15-3) are up. I was finally in the normal range (21) for the last 3 tests. Now I am 28. My onc wants a repeat in 2 weeks and again 2 weeks after that. I was hoping his response would be "oh don't worry about that" but instead it was "Drat!!  We need to watch that". 

This is exhausting.  I was really hoping when I saw the onc this time he would be giving me the "see me in 6 months talk"... :(.

If anyone has any experience with this I would love to hear.  Thanks. 

U

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited August 2014

    Hang in there....

    My tumor markers generally range in the 17-21 area...but I have had them pop up in the high 20's a couple of times.  Then they go back down.

    A lot of different things can make them pop up which is why many doctor's don't do tumor markers.  For example...never do them if you have a cold, fever, etc.

    I like to do them anyway.....but it's scary every time I do them;))

    Jacqueline

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited August 2014

    Jacqueline- Thanks for your post.  I always appreciate you sharing.  My tumor markers are similar to your ranges and it's helpful to know I'm not alone.

    Awnie- I just had my tumor markers checked and they have move around up to 25.  My MO keeps reassuring me they are normal but it's stressful when they go up.

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2020

    .

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  • awnie1301
    awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
    edited August 2014

    Thank you all.  I know my onc is just trying to do the best for me but these TM's will drive me insane I am sure.  I am seeing my onc today so hopefully we can discuss this further.  I suspect he may want a bone scan as well as I have ongoing back pain.  It doesn't seem particularly out of my norm but he is usually quick to order scans etc.  

    Again, thank you all for your support.

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  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited September 2014

    awnie...hope seeing your MO was informative and relived some worry! Hopefully your TM's have come down a bit and the worry is behind you!!  Let us know if you're doing the scan so we can be waiting with you.

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited September 2014

    Surgery and inflammation can make tumor markers increase too........you will get a better picture of what is going on with a record of two weekly tests, but it is debatable how useful they are - mine were well within normal just a couple of weeks before I was diagnosed as stage III so not sure how reliable they are!!!

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  • awnie1301
    awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
    edited September 2014

    Thank you all for your support.  I saw the onc and he wants to repeat the TM's in 2 weeks (which is this coming weekend) and then again 2 weeks later.  It will be a nervous day or two waiting for the results but we will see how they do.  I will let you know how it goes.  

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  • many
    many Member Posts: 254
    edited September 2014

    the markers @ 28 are above the normal threshold of 31 so why is your oncologist  and you worried

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  • awnie1301
    awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2014

    Hi Gang,

    Thought I would jump in on this topic again. I had my follow up tumor markers gradually drop down to 25 then 23. All was looking good. Then I had blood work drawn again today and we are up at 28 again. Strange and annoying...I guess I am just a 20's sort of gal...wish it was my age ;).

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited November 2014
    My oncologist doesn't worry about those small variations.... he is looking for a 50 point increase.

    I agree that you are most likely a 20's something gal. My oncologist had a patient that her number was even over the normal range...but she always stayed there...those were just her "normal" numbers.

    Jacqueline
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