Slightly Elevated CA 15-3 anyone out there had this

Options
Imagine
Imagine Member Posts: 165
edited July 2019 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi I am so concerned. My Ca 15-3 has always been between 10-20. Six months ago they were 23.8 and I asked the MO and was told as long as not over 25 and they were unreliable. They have always done them so I guess there is some value to them. This appointment march 8th they were 32.5. I know that is a jump but still not far over the 25 which is what they cut off is. My MO said he could redo them in 2 months or if I was anxious he would order scans. Bone Scan and CT scan. My dear hubby told him it was all I was thinking about so I go next Wednesday for the scans and meet back with the oncologist on March 27th. He said there are a lot of false positives. I am 11 years our of Stge 2 A ER+PR+ . I have always had good reports until now. However when I had my breast reduction 4 yrs ago the pathology said no cancer but i had atypical hyperplasia in both breast. Please is there anyone out there that had elevated tumor makers that turned out to be nothing??? Would love to

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    There are many, many reasons tumor markers are elevated, most related to inflammation, etc. That is why most docs do not do them (though I secretly wish mine did...full disclosure). Do keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited March 2019

    I cannot find anything online that says inflammation could possible cause elevated Ca 15-3. Where would I find info on it? Thank you so much for your reply

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    There probably are sites, but I do not know off hand. My MO always says he does not do tumor markers because a variety of inflammation/inflammatory conditions can cause it to rise. I think things like cirrhosis, hepatitis, endometriosis, PID are some, but there are others.


    Hoping yours is for some benign reason. Hoping you get answers!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited March 2019

    I ran across an interesting write up about tumor markers, here's the link. However, it does not address the OP's question.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2019

    I'd personally get another blood test in a month, if still elevated, get the scans. better to be certain. Good luck, sorry you have to make this decision, but good you have the options available

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2019

    My tumour markers elevate any time I have bursitis, or if I strain my back, or if I bump my leg, or if I go on a long long walk, or if I overdo the dancing, all of which happens quite often. I do a 'dance marathon' every March and usually my tumour markers are elevated. By June they drop back down to normal. I did have a scan the first time they jumped up (to 43), bone scan, CT scan the works. Eventually they dropped back down to 29 (30 is the limit at my lab). Same with my CEA results, been all the way to 9, then down to 1 - mainly they are around 3. So although you can't find much info about inflammation and tumour markers, I am living proof that they are affected. Maybe you are just getting more arthritic? Here's hoping for clear scans on Wednesday.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited March 2019

    thank you so much for your post. It give me hope that that is what is going on with me. I have been 11 years out and this is something you always fear. I will be glad to get all the tests and scans over with.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited March 2019

    trinigirl50 I just had terrible osteorarthritis in my mid foot, I really needed surgery but got a cortisone shot in the foot 2 days before my Blood work for the CA 15-3. Also I had influenza which was confirmed with the flu test about a week prior to the blood work. I am 61, so yes I have arthritis and even have had bursitis in my hip but advil helps there. I am having all the scans on Wednesday but I don't see the doc until the next wednesday for results. I asked my ONC about the foot issue but he did not think it would cause the elevation of the Ca 15-3. You are right about not finding much online about inflammation causing elevations. I want to be hopeful since I'm 11 years out of my treatments etc. I am almost paralyzed with fear right now and can think of nothing else.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mamasha
    Mamasha Member Posts: 104
    edited March 2019

    hello barteeellis,

    My sister was just given the same news that her numbers were up she’s waiting for them to call with scanappointment. I feel terrible that you are going through this waiting game. So stressful which isn’t good

    Hugs and positive thoughts your way

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2019

    Barteeellis

    I can empathise. I still spend at least three months of the year petrified about mets. Good luck with your scans.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2019

    Hi Barteellis

    I hope all went well yesterday.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited March 2019

    I got through all the testing. Of course the technicians cannot tell you anything so now I wait until next Wednesday for results. The testing was not uncomfortable and it went fast. Thank you for checking in

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited March 2019

    Good. I hope all scans are clear. Keep us posted. Now plan something that will keep you distracted for the weekend.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited April 2019

    Hi Barteeellis

    Hope all is well.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited April 2019

    Thanks for checking in..The scans on bone are negative. On the CT they saw some very small nodules which the radiologist said were most likely intrapulmonary lymph nodes and I will need to be rescanned in 3 months to make sure. My MO says they are most likely nothing but we will check them out to be sure. Everything else showed nothing. What I have been able to see and been told they are from irritants or illness, which I had just had the flu. I have to get my CA 15-3 rechecked the end of May. I hate all this waiting!!! The anxiety is over the moon! I cannot find much online about false positive tumor markers. So I wait

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited April 2019

    Thats great that they think all is well. Waiting is hard I know. I promise you that inflammation, illness (flu) affect the markers. That is why many Drs are often reluctanct to use them. Breathe, this too shall.pass.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited May 2019

    Hi Trinigirl50

    My markers went up at the last check on Tuesday from 32.1 to 36,9. In 2 months time. My rescan of the lung is mid June. The Onc said it is not going in the right direction. I was so hoping for a drop in the numbers. Have your numbers always been highter? For 12 years mine have always been i the normal range until last march.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Les123
    Les123 Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2019

    Hello, new to this. Diagnosed 12/2016. TNBC Stage 2A. Unilateral mastectomy followed with chemo 4 rounds AC. Tumor markers always stayed within in 30s for two years. Yesterday was tested and Now 47! Has this happened to anybody and it not be cancer? This is my biggest fear :-( scheduled for a pet scan on Wednesday. I am hoping it’s from stress, losing a job, relocating to Denver and having a new oncologist.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited May 2019

    Hi Barteeelis

    I hope your second scan show benign findings only. If you go through older threads on this board about elevating tumour markers you will find quite a few whose markers elevated and eventually went back to normal. There are also those whose markers elevated very slightly (and were even within normal) who developed mets. So tumour markers are good predictors for some, and useless for others.

    I know the waiting is the hardest part. My markers have sometimes taken months before they drop, and yes it has gone up from 30 to 35 in three months, and then eventually back down again, I have also been in the 40s. When I am waiting (hoping) for mine to drop, I start reading a new book and distract myself instead of googling, and searching for answers. I think it is very good that your doctors are being pro-active. Try to live your life, instead of holding your breath until June. Easier said than done I know. Good luck.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited June 2019

    Trinigirl50

    Thank you for the response. I am finding it hard to concentrate without obsessing about these darn markers! I am having a hard time finding much anywhere online about tumor markers except for monitoring Mets. I really wish i had never had the TM tests done and just waited until symptoms etc. I am reading where it can take months for something to show on scans...not hearing from many that TM went back down to normal without Mets. I will really try to concentrate on living in the moment for now. How long have your Markers gone up and down? Did you have scans every time

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited July 2019

    I too obsess about the CA 15-3 markers. I am metastasized and my scans recently showed no progression. I ave a great team but I seem to be the only one who worries about the markers. They were in the 20's then low 30's then a month or two ago up to 40.1 and down to 33.4 but last week 51.4. I see my MO july 31 and it is on my list along with why my pain has also increased. Team also aware and meds increased. I am low dose weekly Taxol, 3 weeks in a row then a week off. This is my 9th cycle.

    Marian

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Imagine
    Imagine Member Posts: 165
    edited July 2019

    My markers are up and I have No evidence of disease! 12 years out. My lung scans show some lymph nodes but no real increase in size and they are in perifissual area which when I search online sound benign. I feel like I’m waiting for the shoe to drop...but they cannot tell me anything yet. Another scan in October along with CA 15-3 test to see where the markers are. I cannot get much info on this online. Anyone out there have higher than normal markers and no Recurrance

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories