Anyone have tumor markers elevate and not have a reccurence?

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lmcclure4477
lmcclure4477 Member Posts: 180
edited June 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I just got the results of my Ca 27.29 test and they are above normal.  Of course I immediately freaked out and swear the cancer has returned.  I had a clean PET scan at the end of February.  I had tumor markers done in January and it was 33.  Just got them done last week and it is 46.8.  The upper end of the normal range is 42.1.  So I am over 4 points over the upper end.  Has anyone have tumor markers rise and it was nothing?  I always run anywhere between 32-36.  Last October I rose to 41.2 and they retested in a month and it went down to 32.  So my numbers seem to fluctuate.  And that was before my pet scan.  Now one other thing.  Do they rise due to inflammation?  I have fibromyalgia and was having a major flare up the day I got tested.  So I had a lot of pain and anxiety.  Could that raise the number?  I also did see that the number can rise due to non cancer conditions.  I have ovarian cysts from time to time, I have kidney stones and was ovulating the day of the test (I can tell when I ovulate).  I read all of those factors can raise the number.  My breast surgeon was not concerned and said the markers are not always reliable.  I see my oncologist on Friday.  I talked to the nurse today and she said he will probably retest in a month.  Can anyone help me out???

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  • moni731
    moni731 Member Posts: 293
    edited June 2015

    Hi Imcclure4477! In a simple answer, yes. My markers have elevated trice now. In 10/13 went to 48 (norm <38) retested and went down to around 30. Retested again in Jan 15, 53. One month later, 50 then 41 a month later. So I guess it is still somewhere around there. Will retest in September. My MO was not overly concerned and chalked it up to inflammation (knee injury/arthritis, chronic allergies and asthma). She said she would be more concerned about a continued rise, rather than spikes here and there. She did say to be aware of any new aches and pains and let her know. I read also somewhere that real concern begins with 100, although I heard about others that are dx'd with numbers in the 50's, so I guess we'll see. With fibro, and kidney stones, I would think your inflammation is up there. I wish my MO had done the marker before treatment, so I would have had a baseline. Oh well. Try not to dwell on it (easier said than done I know!). There is another forum titled "Tumor markers a elevated, a little worried" or something to that effect which may better help you. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

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  • JAN69
    JAN69 Member Posts: 947
    edited June 2015

    IMCC I just returned from my 3 month MO visit and asked if he did tumor markers. I had never thought to ask before. He said NO! Told me that the 2 major oncology organizations (something like National Oncology, or American Onco..) said that they are not reliable for breast cancer and both organizations recommended not doing them. I've seen on other threads of tumor markers in the 100s, so I don't think you have to worry. I know I'm big worrier and it's not easy to brush aside numbers. I'm triple negative too. Good luck Jan

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  • lmcclure4477
    lmcclure4477 Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2015

    Thank you ladies for your words of advice!  I feel like I'm in a constant world of worry with these stupid markers.  I go to see my doctor this Friday so I'm sure he will recommend to be retested in a month.  Since I just had a clean PET scan at the end of February, I'm sure he would want to test again before doing another scan.  I've read so much negative information on markers that I'm surprised doctors still do them.  All they do is cause excess stress and anxiety!!

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2015


    I like getting them done.. its another window into what is or might be going on .. part of a whole picture.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited June 2015

    Hey! Sorry you are going through such worry! My MO said even standing by a campfire and breathing smoke will make tumor markers rise. He said they show inflammation in the body, but all inflammation is not cancer. Hope all is well with you!

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  • moni731
    moni731 Member Posts: 293
    edited June 2015

    I agree with Bevin. It is just another piece of info. I have no idea if they are accurate for me, but if they do serially rise, then I can opt for a scan, thereby reducing radiation exposure.

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