Tumor Markers
 

Hi,
My doctor says not to pay too much attention to my tumor markers, but they have been pretty accurate since diagnosis. (elevated when diagnosed, and have been improving as my treatment has been slowly working-cancer not gone, but better). I was taking taxol/hercpetin/perjeta since May and now just the antibodies. My first blood work showed stable tumor markers, but I'm nervous being off chemo. Can I have some input on your experiences with tumor markers? Thanks

Re: Tumor Markers
 

I had my tumor markers tested when I was diagnosed. They were elevated but not as much as I would have suspected since I had lots of nodes involved. My medical onc doesn't test them on a regular basis. However my radiation onc ordered a test recently and they had dropped to the very low end of normal. It seems that for many of us, the tumor markers are not that accurate. There are also some of us who can rely on tumor markers. My understanding is that they are the exception rather than the rule. I'm certainly no expert in this area, just sharing my experience and understanding.

Take Care,
Brenda

Re: Tumor Markers
 

There are a number of different markers. Only one of them seems to be accurate for me. It was elevated at stage IV Dx and has since come down and scans confirm improvement of mets. My TMs were never checked at initial Dx because my MO doesn't use them for early stage but once I was Dx'd stage IV, he had them pulled so we could see if they might be useful and help confirm when to scan (or not).

Re: Tumor Markers
 

I had my tumor markers checked regularly for 5 years...even though all my doctors said it was not necessary. It just made me feel like I was doing everything possible!!