Tumor Markers

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src3acs
src3acs Member Posts: 40
edited September 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hello....I recently started with a new Oncologist only because I have moved to a different state.  I will be 3 years cancer free on October 4, 2015.  I had IDC no node involvement, bilat mx, oncotype 27, ER and PR +.  No chemo because I was extremely ill from lung surgery I had the day before my bilat mx/DIEP recontruction.  Anyway,  my new Onco does tumor markers which I did not have done before.  My first reading was 35.  My next readying was 41.  He told me normal is 38.  He called to tell me this and wants me to come back in four weeks to have the lab work done to re-check my markers.  He also told me not to lose sleep over this, that small increases happen often and be due to a variety of factors but they always double check.  Can anyone provide some insight regarding tumor markers. 

Thank you!!

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Comments

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited September 2015

    It's my understanding those numbers can bounce around some. They will be watched, a steady increase would warrent further investigation.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited September 2015

    Some oncs follow them, some don't. My own has trended mine since the beginning, and although I know they're not 100% reliable, I'm comforted to know the hover in the normal range.

    My onc did say that the level will rise with other body stressors, such as chemo, surgery, or trauma. Mine rose to 45 during chemo and dropped back to normal afterward, and she was not surprised or concerned.

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited September 2015

    I believe that the theory behind tumor markers is that some cancers cause some proteins to be elevated. So, if there is more cancer, the marker goes up. That's the theory anyway. My tumor marker is always in the normal range, even though it fluctuates quite a bit within that range. That includes times when I have a new 'hot spot'. So apparently, my cancer does not cause the raised protein level. So, tumor markers (or at least the ones I've had checked) are not helpful for me.

    I don't think a marker that goes up or down 10% is considered predictive of anything. But your marker is above the normal range, so it makes sense that the doc wants to see if it is trending. It's probably too soon to know whether your marker means anything for you.



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

    My MO says tumor markers show inflamation, and even standing over a smokey BBQ the day befor will drive them up. That said, he would worry if there was a steady upward trend.

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  • src3acs
    src3acs Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2015

    Thank you for the responses. I was just curious and trying not to be worried. Wish you all well ❤

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  • moni731
    moni731 Member Posts: 293
    edited September 2015

    Just stay on top of it. Mine went up to 53 then eventually 41 several months later. I should have had it tested for a few more months as when I had it tested 4 months later it was 665, then 2 weeks later it was 1220. I was dx'd with stage 4 mets bc involving my lung, liver (almost to the point of failure) and so many lymph nodes I lost count. Don't mean to scare you, just wished I had pursued it further and not taken the 'inflammation' explanation that was given to me. It would have been much better to catch it before the liver was so involved. If tumor markers are accurate for you you'll not see much variance. My MO said she doesn't think they mean anything until they are around 100 or there is a sharp spike. Obviously, my 30 pt jump was significant.



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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited September 2015

    TMs by themselves aren't predictive of anything - they are used in conjunction with Scans, physical, etc. to diagnose - there are many people whose TMs aren't reliable.

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