Tumor Markers

[LisaJ]

I apolgize if this is a dumb question. I am only two months into my treatments (stage IIIA, HER2 +++), but what are tumor markers?

[Becky]

There are 2 different tumor marker tests and they are CA27/29 (a newer blood test that is reported to be better) and CA 15-3 (also a blood test).

Since my cancer center uses CA 27/29 I know the normal range is 0-38. I do not know the range for CA 15-3. The CA 27/29 tests for abnormal amounts of a chemical that cancer tumors produce. Therefore, if your tumor marker test result shoots up, usually you will be scanned to see if something is growing somewhere.

You will start getting this periodically as a proactive test as the readings could shoot up before symptoms occur. I think there are also reasons it can go up that have nothing to do with cancer spread (ask your onco).

Hope this helps

Becky

[kristen]

Hi Lisa J.
The normal range for Ca 15-3 is 0-32.4 The report you get should give you the range and if not, I found out what test they used and went to there web site and found out the ranges. I also get the TM, CEA, normal here is 0.0-2.5, but oncs don't get worried about it unless it 's over 5. This is the one Steff N uses and I believe Lolly. why, I took a poll here once a long time ago when I was getting done with treatment and asked who got what and why. I thought it was interesting that a lot of women got this test and was accurate for them, even though this type is usually for colon cancer.

If your numbers start to rise slowly, or out of range but not significantly higher it may be due to a cold or something besides cancer. I made a deal with my onc. that she would test me monthly vs every 3 months if a pattern started to arise. She personally doesn't believe in TM's as she thinks we will show symptoms before they actually spike. The research indicates that Tm's are 86% accurate, I believe. I just wrote this so you don't get freaked out if a number starts to rise. What your onc will be looking for is a pattern, If they continuely rise then something may be going on. Just try not to think the worse if they are slightly over the normal. I think if you asked someone what there numbers were when they got mets, there numbers jumped, not slightly increased.
My best to you.