It's back?? (Ca15,3)

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bender
bender Member Posts: 5
edited November 2015 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

My wife (now 33 y.o) was diagnosed 2 years ago with a breast cancer stage II (not 100% as she starts immediately chemo of 8 cycles because of size, then both - mastectomy took place, as her family history is quite bad, and after that radiotherapy). 6 months ago she also had a hysterectomy as some previous cysts were enlarged but their biopsy (after surgery) was good (not cancer).

But.. today (after 5 months of hysterectomy and menopause) the Ca 15.3 was 31,8 (limit is <25,0)... that index was generally in high levels (close to 23) but now for the first time is beyond that :(

She takes nolvadex (tamoxifen) since 2 years and since last months she takes "aerius" (desloratadine) which according to her plastic surgeon helps her breasts' reconstruction. Last 5 days were quite exhausting (too much walking because of a trip). Can't anything of that (surgery 5 months ago, menopause, desloratadine or fatigue) affected the index?

We'll visit oncologist tommorrow but until tommorrow...any hope (but real one) is welcomed !

Thanks!

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  • bender
    bender Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    her previous index was 22,5 (moreover Ca125 and CEA were increased but lower than the max levels)

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  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited November 2015

    http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/testguide.action?dc=TH_CA_15_3

    This link states that under 32 is normal and my cancer center states that under 36 in normal. Confusing, but I hope this helps. Best wishes.

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  • bender
    bender Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    Thanks, but it's again too on the limit (i.e. in the next month will be more than it..or not...)

    Moreover, your link states that "Confirmed increases of ≥25% have been suggested to be clinically significant"; in her case it's 41% (from 22,5 to 32,8);

    I've just found all exams (in parentheses the written limits):

    Oct 2014: CEA 2,92ng/ml (<3,8) --- CA 15.3 22,3 U/ml (<25,0) --- CA 125 n/a

    Apr 2015: CEA 0,94ng/ml (<3,8) --- CA 15.3 22,5 U/ml (<25,0) --- CA 125 9,1 (<35,0)

    Nov 2015: CEA 1,31ng/ml (<3,8) --- CA 15.3 31,8 U/ml (<25,0) --- CA 125 17,6 U/ml (<35,0)

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

    TMs are not the only thing oncs use to diagnose - in my case they are right on but in many cases they don't signify anything - your wife will need scans, etc. to properly diagnose mets so for now try not to worry or worry her - TMs can be higher if there's been an infection or the flu or ????? Hang in there.

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  • bender
    bender Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    Just to correct that she takes singulair (montelukast) and not aerius that I mentioned .

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  • Dixie1
    Dixie1 Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2015

    Bender my Ca15.3 has gone up and down. I've read that being dehydrated, or having been sick can cause it to increase. Hopefully something else caused the increase. So far they are just monitoring mine. Other test indicate that everything is fine. I know how hard it is waiting for answers . You are your wife will be in my thoughts.

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  • many
    many Member Posts: 254
    edited November 2015

    plz take this seriously and insist on a pet scan as my wife had a increase of just1 point over normal and the onco just ignored it and today after 3 months she has liver mets

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  • bender
    bender Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    Onc told us to repeat the examination tomorrow in other laboratory to ensure that.. Most probably if it's valid he will ask a test again after 2 months

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  • many
    many Member Posts: 254
    edited November 2015

    our MO did the same and in 3 months it is wide spread mets so better get her markers tested after a month and then go ahead based on result

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