Rise in CA15-3 During Chemotherapy

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bydand
bydand Member Posts: 17
edited July 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi,

My mom was diagnosed with de novo state IV BC with bone mets (~4 lesions to ribs and pelvis) in March and completed AC, now on weekly taxol x 12 weeks.

Her CA15-3 was normal when she was initially diagnosed but after AC increased to 50s. It was not checked during AC. Now with the taxol it’s coming back down to 30s. She feels that the lump in her breast has completely resolved. Her bone mets were asymptomatic.

Should we be worried about progression/lack of response given the initial bump in her CA15-3? Or can it be secondary to the chemo? Has anyone ever experienced a similar issue

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2019

    A rise during chemo can sometimes be due to dead and dying cells. My CA 15-3 was around 21 when I started chemo and it went just above normal after a few weeks of Taxol, it was either at or just over the high end of normal...about 32 or 33 I think. I had read that dying tumors can raise it and doctor confirmed it at that time

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