Effect of Herceptin cycle on Scan results

[Julie2]

Hi All,

Can the scan results be effected by on which day during the Herceptin cycle we get the scan?

I got my PET/CT scan a week after I got my 3 week dose of Herceptin. My san results showed partial decrease of the disease eventhough the tumor markers(Her2 serum,CEA and CA27.29) showed progression while I was on Navelbine. I am wondering this may be due to getting the scan too close to the Herceptin infusion.

Also the new report shows a nodular contour on the wall of uterus, this may be a benign cyst or something else, I need to get an ultra sound.

Can these cysts alter the tumor markers? Usually Her2 serum is a very reliable indicator for me.

Thanks,
Julie

[ElaineM]

You brought up an interesting point about timing. I don't know anything about timing, but I think other things can affect some tumor markers slightly like inflamation in the body, benign tumors, benign cysts and whether or not a person smokes.
Good luck. Take good care of yourself.

[Rich66]

Interesting since it is generally thought that PET shows current status earlier than CT. Haven't heard if serum markers show earlier than PET in those who markers are useful. Did the markers go up a lot?