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Regular tumor markers have been unreliable for me -- never went over 15.3. What my oncologist and I are doing is relying on the HER2 serum test which seems to be particularly sensitive in my case. A slight rise in the serum level indicates something is going on. I know everyone is different. Tumor markers for some are the first indication that something is amiss. I don't see any reason why doctors don't run marker tests as it is certainly non invasive and can offer a lot of women peace of mind.
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Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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