Reading into the CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 tests

Whoa, sailaway....I can't tell you to worry or not (with this crap, most things make me worry...thank you Prozac & acupuncture), but those are some high numbers. As everyone will tell you, it's not 1 number but a trend & for some, TMs aren't reliable, while for others, they are. I hope someone w/more info logs in...like Bestbird...(maybe pm her). I've only had cea & 27/29 (w/3 dx) but my center is dropping 27/29 & going to 15-3. From 3/16 to 9/16, they are comparing ....for a new baseline. I think a 2nd opinion was necessary, but I think you need more of an explanation! Hope for that

As RonnieKay mentioned, Tumor Markers are reliable for some people and not for others. That said, the numbers on your post are quite high and you may want to seek a second medical opinion about them and your treatment.

Generally what is important is a downward trend, although there can be an initial rise due to dead cancer cells in the blood after a new therapy is working. Below from my MBC Guide is a writeup about TMs. .You (and others) are welcome to request a complimentary copy of the 126 page booklet by visiting the top of this page:https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/831507?page=2#idx_32

• Tumor Marker ("TM") Tests, which check for elevated TM levels in the blood.In some people TM tests are accurate, whereas in others they are not.In addition, tumor marker levels may initially rise after effective treatment when cancer cells die rapidly and release the marker into the bloodstream; hence the temporary increase may not necessarily mean treatment failure. From: http://www.fmh.org/body.cfm?id=598However, a consistent increase in tumor marker levels, coupled with lack of clinical improvement, may indicate treatment failure (in patients whose tumor markers are reliable).From: http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Tumour-Markers.htmWhen TMs rise yet scans do not show progression, patients can feel significant anxiety.The author has yet to find a study indicating that changing treatment based upon TMs alone provides a superior outcome.In fact, patients may want to share this statement with their doctor: "CEA, CA 15-3, and CA 27.29 tests may be used to add to the information your doctor already has about the cancer. These results may help contribute to decisions about your treatment. However, these biomarkers generally should not be used alone to guide treatment or for monitoring how well treatment is working."From: http://www.cancer.net/research-and-advocacy/asco-care-and-treatment-recommendations-patients/biomarkers-guide-treatment-metastatic-breast-cancerTumor Marker tests include:

• CA 15-3, a protein that is a normal product of breast tissue which does not cause breast cancer. If a cancerous tumor is present, levels of CA 15-3 may increase.The normal range of serum CA 15-3 is less than 31 U/mL.CA15-3 is elevated in more than 70% of metastatic breast cancer patients.

• CA 27-29, which is the only blood test specifically for breast cancer.CA 27-29 is a mucus-containing protein that is produced by the MUC-1 gene. Breast cancer cells will shed copies of the CA 27.29 protein in to the bloodstream.Normal levels are < 40 U/ml. Generally, levels > 100 U/ml signify cancer, but since 30% of patients have elevated CA 27.29 for 30-90 days after treatment, it's best to wait 2 to 3 months after starting new treatment to be checked.CA27-29 is elevated in more than 70% of metastatic breast cancer patients.

• CEA, The CarcinoEmbryonic Antigen is a protein that shows up in the blood, and is normally found in the tissue of a developing fetus. After birth, the mother's blood levels of CEA should disappear. Smoking produces higher than normal levels of CEA, so patients should abstain from smoking for several days prior to taking the test.Normal values are less than 2.5 ng/ml in non-smokers, and less than 5 ng/ml in smokers.CEA is elevated in 55% of MBC patients.

The above information is From: http://www.oncolink.org/treatment/article.cfm?id=296

Hello everybody,

I had a mammogram last May 2017, it was suspicious,so I had to have ultrasound and was suspicious of malignancy,they did a biposy and was confirmed and was dx with Invasive Intraductal carcinoma, HER2 + and has spread to my left armpit,the other breast is negative.Biopsy of my left lymph nodes was aslo positive,i was wearing size D,it was very swollen,painful and pink like orange peel typical of invasive/aggressive cancer.

My husband bought me QUANTUMIN PLUS supplement,10 drops in every glass of water.

I started 4 chemo infusions in december for 6 hours at doctor's office with very bad side effects,high fever,nosebleed,gum bleeding,dizzy,diarrhea,sinusitis,pneumonia,i almost died. I doidnt do back till I recovered from side effects in Feb.09,2017 and I had the same 4 infusions at a lower strength,my platelets dropped to 36 and was bleeding again on my gums,doctor wants to give me shot,i refused bec. i wanted my body to recover naturally,i ate iron rich foods to help me but then i never went back for chemo.

I met a patient taking SOURSOP leaves tea, she suggested boiling 7-8 soursop leaves, in 3 cups of water,boil till 1 cup left and drink like tea,you can add lemon and honey to taste, i aslo researched about it and most of the research results confirmed that it is 100 x as strong as chemo, with no side effects,I started taking it religiously 2x a day.

May 2017,surgeon told me to go back for chemo,but she said the tumor shrunk,she sent me for MRI and the lymph nodes were resolved,the tumor has shrunk to 1/2 the size w/c was 4.4 from 9.5 and all my CEA,CA,CA27.29 and CA15.3 were all normal. MD decided to have simple Mastectomy but she was not sure if lymph node has really resolved, so she took them off,right now i am waiting for the results.

Just sharing my experience so that people may benefit from it and not have a lot of side effects from CHEMO.These 2(quantumin plus(it's a food supplement,alkalinizer,chelator,antioxidant)and soursop leaves--i buy from ETSYS) have helped me survive,i will continue taking both and will see. All of these plus of course prayers will help us survive. TAKE CARE my friends.

good grief sailaway, bleeding eardrums?!!! What a nightmare.

What do your scans show, stable?, progression? I wonder if high CA 15-3 numbers are just normal for you.