Tumor markers on Ibrance and Letrozole

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KBL
KBL Member Posts: 2,521
edited July 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I’m sure my question has probably been asked, so I’m sorry if this is a repeat. I was just diagnosed in May of this year, and because no imaging shows my cancer, we are using tumor markers at this point. The only way it was discovered was because I had an endoscopy, and they found the breast cancer in two places in my stomach.

Here were my numbers in May:

CEA - 7.2

CA 27-29 - 491.2

CA 15-3 - 220.10

Here are my numbers yesterday

CEA - 6.4

CA - 27-29 - 459.80

CA - 203.30

I’m grateful they’ve come down, but they are still quite high.

I took Ibrance 125 mg for the 21 days starting at the end of June and Letrozole, but I had to come off the Ibrance for a second week due to my neutrophils only being .68 after my week off. We are going to test again next week, and hopefully I’m above 1.0. I will then start the lowest dose to see if I can tolerate it.

So after that long intro, I’m curious to know if anyone’s tumor markers also came down after the first month.

I’m hopeful I can get back on the lower dose and tolerate it.

Thank you,

Kris

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Comments

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited July 2019

    I think those are hopeful signs that it is working. It will likely pick up speed and drop faster after a couple of months. You are lucky to see positive signs so early. My wife has been on it for over 2 years now and it continues to work. She started out on the highest dosage and quickly progressed to the lowest.

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  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited July 2019

    I have no clue what my tumor markers were or are.

    All I know that Ibrance and Leterzole has shrunk my tumors.

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  • Moomala
    Moomala Member Posts: 436
    edited July 2019

    I've just finished month 3 of Ibrance and letrozole and my tumor markers have dropped similarly. My CA27.29 was 364 at the start, and is now 270-something. I'll have blood work tomorrow with new tumor markers and scans next week. I have anxiety about the scans but the nurse practitioner did say that my dropping tumor markers are quite hopeful that the medication is working.

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  • KBL
    KBL Member Posts: 2,521
    edited July 2019

    Thank you, Husband11, Christene50, and Moomala.

    Husband11, it makes me feel better that it’s working and she’s on a lower dose. That’s wonderful.

    Christene50, that’s wonderful that your tumors are shrinking. I hope it continues. This also gives me hope.

    Moomala, can you please keep me updated here. I really want to know how it goes for you. I wish you the best. Thank you for sharing. I hadn’t seen many posts with higher tumor markers. I’m glad yours are going down as well.

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