HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Routine marker testing and recurrence... worth it?

StephN · 10-15-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi Beans -
This is from the Revolution Health website:

"cERB2, also known as ERB2 or HER2, is an oncoprotein overexpressed in cancer and is detected by immunohistochemical staining or by fluorescence in situ hybridization, known as FISH, which detects gene amplification. This test is performed at the same time as testing for hormone receptivity, or estrogen and progesterone receptors."

Maybe in other countries they use the cERB2 designation - had not noticed it before you mentioned it.

My cancer center does not use the C15-3 as my med onc explained they feel the CA27-29 is more accurate and a newer test. Anyway, if your marker was elevated and you had mets, then there is no reason NOT to continue to check it periodically. That marker test may not be sensitive to ALL kinds of mets, but if your liver acted up again, seems to me the marker would rise.

I have had my CA27-29 taken either every 3 or 6 weeks for the last five years. It has been in the same range (normal) within maybe 2-3% fluctuation. Since I have also had clean scans to corroborate the marker, I feel good continuing to use markers and drawing a HER2 serum (the Bayer Elisa test) a couple time a year for good measure. Then I go on about my life with peace of mind.

10-15-2007, 04:40 PM	#11
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hi Beans - This is from the Revolution Health website: "cERB2, also known as ERB2 or HER2, is an oncoprotein overexpressed in cancer and is detected by immunohistochemical staining or by fluorescence in situ hybridization, known as FISH, which detects gene amplification. This test is performed at the same time as testing for hormone receptivity, or estrogen and progesterone receptors." Maybe in other countries they use the cERB2 designation - had not noticed it before you mentioned it. My cancer center does not use the C15-3 as my med onc explained they feel the CA27-29 is more accurate and a newer test. Anyway, if your marker was elevated and you had mets, then there is no reason NOT to continue to check it periodically. That marker test may not be sensitive to ALL kinds of mets, but if your liver acted up again, seems to me the marker would rise. I have had my CA27-29 taken either every 3 or 6 weeks for the last five years. It has been in the same range (normal) within maybe 2-3% fluctuation. Since I have also had clean scans to corroborate the marker, I feel good continuing to use markers and drawing a HER2 serum (the Bayer Elisa test) a couple time a year for good measure. Then I go on about my life with peace of mind. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.