very bad news
 

Another horrible day - my birthday even. My marker which is always good for me went up twice. The problem is that the PET scan 3 days ago was clear. If I go back on herceptin now can that help? I only have one bone met that was Gamma knifed. Is there a website for only metastatic people? I'm really upset and I'd like to ask questions. Thank you, HavahJ

Hi Havah!

My tumor markers have gone up twice also and I have had clear scans. My onc. told me he has had others do the same thing. He cautions me often that the tumor markers are just not dependable without other evidence. I surely do understand your concern. I have had a year of chemo and start radiation on Thursday. I'm doing all I can do. I'll just do the scans quarterly and watch the markers but not depend on them just yet.
Best of luck. Sorry I have no answers for you.
ma

mets website
 

HavahJ, yes.

Try bcmets.org

AlaskaAngel

Hi I also have heard these markers are very undependable and my onc does'nt do them at all for that reason.

You could try bcsupport.org and click on the recurrance site as I've visited there before and everyone seems friendly.
Please try to be more hopeful for your situation and keep fighting.
Tricia

HavahJ

Tumor markers are not reliable for everyone...Pet CT's are a much better indicator...if your Pet was fine, I wouldn't worry about the tumor markers...many things can throw them off...many Dr's don't do them for this reason. Take a deep breath and relax....you are in my prayers.

Hi Havah,

My onc. also does not like these markers - too unreliable he says - try not to worry too much - more important that your scan was clear. Keep the faith, hopefully the herceptin will do its magic.

caya in canada

Hi,


I understand your concerns. My markers also went up, but I also had some spots on my liver. I went back on Herceptin in November and my markers went down from 87.2 to 40.8 in two months. It wouldn't hurt to try the Herceptin.

I hope everything turns out well.

Stephanie

More to come!!!
 

First of all - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Tumor markers, although and important tool for the Onc's are not as accurate as scans! With the rise in markers I'd be all over your Onc for a Brain MRI as well as a PET/CT fusion. Peace of mind is priceless!

Havahj,
This is exactly why my oncologist does not routinely do tumor markers and for that I am eternally grateful because I could not tolerate the anxiety that you must be going through. I will keep you in my prayers that your PET scans are accurate.
Marlys

Havah,
What a crummy way to feel on your birthday!
If you check out bcmets.org and have a specific question, I'd suggest direct it to Musa. You'll get many responses, but Musa is a very knowledgable advocate.

How do you FEEL? (I mean physically? - I know you are distressed right now). I agree, if you have not had brain MRI you should get that, especially if tumor markers have "always worked for you" as you say.

Having said that, I think it is good news to get a clean PET scan, and have 2 oncologists who don't use tumor markers.
Hang in there
Chris

Hi Havah
 

Happy Birthday despite the markers....

Markers do not always work for everyone. I have found throughout my 11 years that the I am sensitive to the CEA marker. When mine starts to rise, I know that something is happening. This does not apply to everyone. As said, other things can make them rise and fall. I have kept track of mine and compare and through this I have found a pattern in how mine work. I have know women whose markers have gone up but everything else was clear, so I would not worry too much about this. Just have your doctor keep a close eye on things.

I have markers drawn frequently BECAUSE we have found out that I am sensitive to that test. When done in combo with a scan and you show clear, that is a good indication that things are stable. So your onc (and yourself) should always take both into consideration (which I am sure that he does).

Try to have a wonderful birthday and CELEBRATE !!!

your friend and sister in the USA

A late Happy Birthday. January 15th is my brother's birthday also.
I agree with the others about the markers. When due to a biopsy they knew I had invasive breast cancer and where, my CA15,3 marker was 10! which is way below the normal range so I shouldn't have had cancer lol. And then after chemo - maybe even during it - it went to 30 now it's about 15. I'd trust the Petscan and your oncologist but you're right to read up and be aggressive about looking for anything.
Hope you had a nice day despite your worries.
all the best
sarah

Havahj,

I wouldn't put too much faith into the tumor marker test. Too many things can affect the results. When I was diagnosed with Stage III my marker was 15.3! Have you had a serum HER2 test done? That's what my oncologist is now relying on. I have the HER2 serum blood test done every 12 weeks.

sorry your feeling so bad
 

have you been on herceptin ? i have been on it for 13 months and had 2 bone nets in the spine , but herceptin has now stopped working and i am after Tykerb which is suppose to be better than herceptin but cant find a trial !
SO GOOD LUCK THEIR IS LOTS OF NEW TREATMENTS FOR US
SOPHIE

Happy Birthday, Havah. And many more.....MJO

Back to the top...
 

I just wanted to bring this post back to the top because of the recent Tumor Markers questions. The following webite does a great job of describing the CA 15-3 (and CA27.29) which most of you have had questions about. It also describes other health issues that can cause an increase in the counts OUTSIDE of cancer.

Enjoy
Love and Light
Mel

http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders..._3/glance.html

Great article for people like me who get lost in the technical explanations that most medical sites provide. Thank you for sharing.

happy belated