How reliable are tumor markers?

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JoanDavies
JoanDavies Member Posts: 160
edited April 2020 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My oncologist called me today to tell me my tumor markers have gone down from 200 to 65. That's good news, right? I'm cautiously optimistic that the aggressive chemo treatment is working, and I've only just done three treatments. Supposedly I have an aggressive cancer, so that's why I'm wondering about the reliability.

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  • Daywalker
    Daywalker Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2020

    Hi Joan, I think it's usually an encouraging sign when markers go down during treatment, but we are all different so the golden standard is still scanning... Tumor markers have always corresponded to cancer behaviour in my case, and I think a drop as drastic as yours is very good! Even though you will only know for sure with scans, try and take courage from this and enjoy the positive news xxx take care

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited April 2020

    Hi Joan, for a lot of women tumor makers are utterly reliable. For some women they don't say anything at all.

    It depends on whether your particular form of this beast expresses the protein they are measuring.

    Over time you'll figure out whether it's reliable for you. In the meantime don't make decisions without scans.

    But the fact that treatment lowered your 'number' is pretty promising. And yes, good news. Go celebrate!

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited April 2020

    they work for some not for others. for me, they are an accurate indicator of what is happening for me. whether a treatment is working or not. after 3 treatments, i would think they are a good indication that the treatment is working. yay!

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  • Elderberry
    Elderberry Member Posts: 993
    edited April 2020

    Joan: A plunge in the numbers has to be seen as good. Start with the first set of numbers and watch whether it goes up or down with each test. If the markers are reliable for you then it is an excellent sign. May the next round be an even lower number. My numbers tend to reflect how well I am doing.

    Take care -- be well -- everyone.

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