Tumor markers

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CBK
CBK Member Posts: 611
edited March 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I met with my new MO last week and we discussed a variety of topics including tumor markers. I do find his candor refreshing, but I was kind of thrown by his response to tumor marker bloodwork.

When I asked him, “why do we even do it?” He honestly had the response of “I don’t know, I’ve seen people with them in normal range that have reoccurrence and I’ve seen them way out of range and patient recorded no problems on further testing”. “ I just don’t know”.

I for a moment felt a sense of weird relief when he said that, but honestly after leaving his office I feel more confused than ever.

I’m wondering are following tumor markers helpful for any population of BC patients? There must be some validity to some aspect of them.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited March 2019

    I always thought they were reliable. MO or pcp pulled them for 7 years, the last this past Jan. That one came back well within range. But I had pain on the non ca side. MO poked around, asked some questions and ordered a PET/ct.

    3 nodes lit up.

    Surgery is coming Wednesday. Then ibrance/letrozole.


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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited March 2019

    My mo doesn’t do tumor markers at all. My understanding is their accuracy, in terms of indicating possible progression, varies from person to person.

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