Male with elevated CA 15-3

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Siberian
Siberian Member Posts: 5
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello, I am trying to learn more about tumor markers as I have had an elevated level of CA 15-3 for about a year and a half now (>30). I am a male, and about a year ago I had a mammogram as my CA 15-3 was elevated - fortunately nothing was found.

However, my CA 15-3 level keeps rising slowly, and is currently at 47. Unfortunately, no one can tell me the significance of this test for men. It was ordered as part of a panel, and my primary care provider would like to track it as it continues to rise. I am curious as to the significance of this marker and if any members here have received explanations for what other causes there may be. I also don’t know of 47 is a “borderline” number or elevated.

Thanks so much for any comments or guidance you may provide me.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited January 2020

    I’m afraid I’m not going to very helpful but here it is. The elevated CA 15-3 could be a sign that breast cancer is active but it can also be increased slightly due to inflammation. The main problem is that these tests are accurate for some but not at all for others. 47 is still a low number and at this point I suspect you’ll have to rely on symptoms for now, even mammo’s and scans can’t diagnose for sure, it requires something to biopsy. Good luck.

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  • Siberian
    Siberian Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    Thank you for the information illimae, any feedback for me is much appreciated. I have a lot of questions but I don’t know where to go for answers. There are not many resources for males tracking CA 15-3 and the doctors (male) I have seen are unfamiliar with the marker in men. Candidly, I don’t even know how to do a proper self exam. I’m relieved to hear its a low number, but I still don’t know at what level I should be concerned or what physicalsymptoms to look for.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited January 2020

    Welcome to BCO Siberian. I'm a man with breast cancer and I've helped many guys here over the past five years.

    Doctors have few statistics for men when it comes to markers, so they use those for women. This is not necessarily a bad thing, so we just have to run with it. The important thing is that you are being monitored and you can always turn to this forum for help. Please feel free to message me any time you like.

    Here's the info onself examination:

    https://www.hisbreastcancer.org/single-post/2016/10/18/Male-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-Signs-and-Self-Exam

    Keep us posted.

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  • Siberian
    Siberian Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    Traveltext, thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate it. I will message you son we can get connected

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited January 2020

    Siberian

    Was the mammogram completely negative or did they mention any benign conditions such as gynecomastia? Have you had or has anyone recommended any other imaging? Just curious.

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  • Siberian
    Siberian Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    I did have a mammogram but the debrief and report were very cursory (no findings). I also had an abdominal ultrasound to confirm my liver and pancreas were normal. My prostate specific antigen is normal, its really just a rising elevation of the CA 15-3 that is confusing. I would assume inflammation but its just been rising steadily for the past 18 months.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited January 2020

    Siberian

    Ask your docs if a PET scan might be helpful. It is usually used to find mets in someone with a known malignancy but it can find small areas of abnormally high metabolism as a red flag for growing tumors. The topic of markers etc. is outside my field of expertise but I thought this might be relevant.

    This article came up when searching for the relation between CA 15-3 and PET scanning however the NCBI server seems to be down right now so I have not been able to read and evaluate anything but the abstract. Perhaps it will shed some light. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC57909...

    I am assuming your docs have reviewed the relation between any other medical conditions you may have and any medication you may be taking, including over the counter, especially non-FDA approved supplements from GNC-like and online retailers. Do you work out often? Weights?

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  • Siberian
    Siberian Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    Djmammo,

    My only exercise has been walking, so no weights. I don’t take medication, only a 100 mg magnesium supplement every other day to help with palpitations.

    To be clear, the CA 15-3 test was ordered as I had very high 24 hour urinary cortisol, which was indicative of a tumor. My cortisol remains elevated as well, but fluctuates a little more than the CA 15-3. My doctor has wanted to trend the elevating cancer antigenbefore ordering any type of scan, although I don’t know what the intended threshold is before ordering a scan (this is a question I need to ask). Judging by the article you sent it looks as though my current levels support a PET scan.

    Thank you.

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