Ca27 / Ca29

[julierene]

My Onc seems to think that these tumor marker tests are a waste after you are Stage 4...

Is there any reason why "not" to do these tests?

When is the best time to do them?

[HavahJ]

My onc thinks the best time to do markers is stage 4 because it can signal if mets are growing or newly occurring. Go figure!

[sarah]

in France, they don't have a clue. dont' do them only the CA15,3

[HavahJ]

My onc just found a single metastatic bone lesion with that marker. Because it is so early and I have no symptoms, I still have a chance for a cure with adjuvant therapy at M.D. Anderson! I'll mske him give me any test if there's even a chance of it helping.

[Alice]

My onc doesn't do them routinely until stage 4. They are highly influenced by other factors such as infections etc.She uses them to help determine if scans or other tests are warrented in the hopes to not expose us to unnecessary radiation and stressful scans not to mention the stress of waiting for results.

They all seem to have a different opinion and I'm not sure who is right or if there is such a thing. I just go with my instincts and my onc is willing to do scans and x-rays etc if I request them before she thinks they are necessary.

[julierene]

He thinks PET scans and MRI and "Infinitely" better. I will get a PET scan after my 3rd month to see where we stand on how effective the treatment has been. I agree with needing the scan, but I wasn't sure about the tumor marker tests. Thanks for the input :)