Tumor Marker Tests - Which Ones? and When?

[julierene]

My onc doesn't like tumor marker tests. Back in Dec. I asked him for them, and he said they were a waste, that the scans we would do in 3 months were infinitely better. I know he doesn't think I'm in dire enough shape to be afraid I won't be around in 3 months, but what is going on with him thinking they are useless? Should I push for it? And when will they be useful? Thanks!

[kristen]

Hi Julierene,

yes, Onc's, some, believe you will have symptoms way before your numbers on TM's rise. Some one told me that TM's are 86% correct. I have all 3 done, why, it was a screw up and we have just continued to do all 3. I have CEA, CA 15-3 and CA 27-29. My onc also believes that, but I made a deal with her. If she would check them every 3 months when I come in and they are in the normal range I won't freak out. If they happen to rise above normal range then I want to come in every month and get them checked. The onc's look for a pattern if they are rising.
The reason they don't like them is because they can give false postitives and a lot of unnessecary worry. False positives can be due to colds or a virus that is going on in your body and it has nothing to do with cancer. So if they see a pattern then they should know that something is up.
I did a poll here before I went in asking for TM's to see which ones the ladies most used and if they were predictive. CEA was odd, since it is usually seen in colon cancer I believe, but I think this is the one Lolly and Steff used. My personal opinion is that I would like to have the Bayer serum test, but it's not approved yet for first timers. The pet scan should tell you what you need to know. But remember if it will make you feel better, tell your onc that you would really like to have them run when you come in for blood work. My best to you.

[Lyn]

I have regularly since 98 been having my CA 15-3 done and it has always been in the normal range, I have been having chemo and rads as well ever since and I have found that when my range is down around 9 (under 30 is normal) I have active disease and when around 22 there isn't anything noticable, my onc just shakes his head when he sees mine, so I have only used mine incase they ever want to do a study on my file, I always had them taken before commencement of a regime and after when completed hoping this knowledge is of some benefit.

Love & Hugs Lyn