[Debbie L.]

Thanks for that, Steph. Wouldn't it be perfect if there were a reliable marker for everyone, to announce brain mets and spur further diagnostics and allow early/easier treatment options? It seems like, since the brain is so different, there MUST be some neuro-secretions (I have no idea if that's a word, but you know what I mean) that could be used as a marker in a blood test.

But as it stands so far, I think all the existing markers are equally unreliable. Elevated with some cancers and not with others (plus elevated by things other than cancer), so that as a screening tool, they are not very useful. I'm glad that CEA made a difference for you and Christine, and I hope they can find something similar that makes a difference for all.

Lani posted a study of PET/MRI vs. PET/CT which includes a bit about brain mets detection. Full body scanning is overkill for brain mets/this discussion but still, there may be some hints there.