You already know but ... (re CA 15-3)

[chicagoetc]

I asked (messaged) my oncologist today about adding the CA 15(3) marker to my bloodwork, said I had a lot of friends who get this fairly regularly. By friends I meant all of you.

His response:

"Will add to Friday blood draw. Your friends should refer their oncologists to the National Cooperative Cancer Network evidence-based guidlelines for the follow up of women with breast cancer."

You probably already know, but I thought it was nice of him to say.

Melanie

PS: I found a link: http://www.nccn.org/index.asp

[Cal-Gal]

Hello there-
I currently am having the CA27.29 marker test done--

What is the difference between the two?

Thank you-I tried the link, but didnt see info on CA15.3

[chicagoetc]

I don't know much. [I think the link is for joining the organization and we can't see anything unfortunately.]

Someone else can say more but I found this re CA27.29 and CA15.3:

http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/5/630

[Yorkiegirl]

I have a CA27.29 and CEA done every 4 months.

[hutchibk]

He might be referring to the somewhat controversial theory of monitoring bc patients with serum tumor markers after initial treatment... ASCO doesn't call for it and I believe that NCCN doesn't either. However, it is called for in the metastatic setting, which many of us are mets patients. I am tremendously grateful for 15.3 and the fact that my onc has used on me from day one. It has been an early indicator of all of my recurrences and we have been able to jump on all of my treatments when recurrences are small and easier to treat.

Also, I just learned that Serial measurements of CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 are the same thing... never knew that.

[Pam P]

Brenda - If the serial measurements are the same with 15-3 and 2729, does that mean it would be redundant and thus only one or the other test would be necessary? I've been getting the ca 2729 for years, but have never had the ca 15-3. Is there an advantage to one over the other in accuracy?

[Becky]

ca 27/29 is a new and supposedly more accurate test. CA 15-3 is older and is a cheaper test to run

[hutchibk]

Google it, that's where I learned about it...

Becky is probably right. Same serum, but I don't know what makes it more accurate.

If I ever have progression without increase in 15.3 markers, I plan to ask my doc to initiate 27/29 and her2 serum marker monitoring.

[Sheila]

I just wonder why the markers are so accurate for some and show nothing in others....I fall into the show nothing category and I have had both!

[Joan M]

Like Sheila I also fall into the show nothing category. And I have both markers.

Joan