Tumor Marker question

[fauxgypsy]

I have a question about tumor markers. I have been NED for a little over four years. The night before my mastectomy in 2007 the oncologist I was seeing then called me and told me my tumor markers were elevated. We decided to do the surgery anyway. Long story but my staging was completely screwed up by my first oncologist.

I started seeing a new oncologist last year. In December he ran my tumor markers. Ca 125 was a little over 25. He said it was high and he wanted to run them a couple more times every three months before I got my port out. He ran them again in March and June. They are still up, this time, I think to 27.8.

When I spoke to the nurse practitioner she said something about hidden metastases that he had written in my file but had not mentioned to me. When I read about Ca 125 the information I have found suggests that the normal limits are between 1 and 35. I am really confused. I also have irritible bowel disorder and I have read that intestinal inflammatory issues can also cause higher Ca 125 levels.

I have had normal PET scans, MRIs, and mammograms since 2007. How worried should I be?

[ElaineM]

Inflammation, digestive problems and benign tumors somewhere in the body can also raise tumor markers. Certain other problems can also raise them. Have you had a Pet/CT recently? You might want to discuss the tumor markers with your doctor too.
Take care.

[fauxgypsy]

I did discuss them with him but he didn't mention occult metastases at the time. The PET I had in November showed nothing. On top of that Mississippi Blue Cross won't pay for it. Said it was medically unnecessary.

[Debbie L.]

I'm confused. There are issues with tumor markers in general, unless they've been established as reliable for a particular cancer (person) with advanced disease. But isn't C-125 an ovarian-cancer-specific marker (not breast), besides?

Debbie Laxague

[Lauriesh]

They are still within normal, but I do think that you should continue to regularly monitor them. I was over 5 years out, and my tumor marker was always between 9 and 13. In March, 2010, it was still 13. Four months later, it jumped up to 50, and two liver mets were found.
While they are not accurate for everyone, it can be a useful tool for some. But, what I have heard is that they are looking for a pattern. If your's steadily keep rising, it could be concerning.

Laurie

[fauxgypsy]

I am sorry. Part of the confusion is my fault. Somehow I had the wrong tumor marker. It is CA 15-3. It is still below normal from what I've read. I am going to check and see what it was several years ago at the beginning of all this. I called the oncs office. they couldn't find the results for November, but it was 27.4 in March and 28.4 in June.

[Sandra in GA]

They do the CA 15-3 on me down at Mayo. I always ask for a copy of the results of all blood work and scans. The normal on my sheets for this test is 1.0 to 29.9. So, your readings are still within the normal range. Mine have ranged from 16 to 17.3. I have seen postings from others on this board and some have lower normals. From my undersanding, normals can vary and what they really watch are increases from your normal.

[fauxgypsy]

Thank you. I have gotten out of the habit of getting copies of my blood work. This a good reminder.