Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Ok, now I'm freaking out.

I had tumor marker tests last year BEFORE I had the surgery to remove the tumor. The results then were:
~~~
Cancer Antigen 125

Result: 7.8 Anything over 35 is considered high
~~~~
Carcinoembryonic Antigen

Result: 1.1 Anything over 4 is flagged as high

~~~
Cancer Antigen 15-3

Result: 19 Anything over 28 is flagged

Ok this is why I'm freaking. The results just came back for the same tests, minus the tumor. Is this a normal trend? HELP?!!!!

Cancer Antigen 125 - Result 8 (up from 7.8 last year)
Cancer Antigen 15-3 -Result 22 (up from 19 last year)
Carcinoembryonic Antigen -Result: 1.4 (up from 1.1 last year)

Why is the trend not either the same or down rather than up? Oh Lord............

Diannes

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

No need to freak out...were you on antibiotics or sick when the latest markers were taken? I get alot of sinus infections and am frequently on antibiotics and they seem to make the numbers go up a little. Since your markers are within normal range, I wouldn't worry too much about the slight increase in the numbers.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Hi Colleen,

No, I have not been on antibiotics since January. I don't feel sick. Mentally and emotionally, that's another story. Can stress affect these tests?

I have a kidney stone and a higher creatinine level than normal but I don't know if this would affect these tests.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Oh no no no no no...No freaking out allowed. All are within normal range, and are only slightly up from the earlier readings. Many things can cause these to fluctuate, and for many people these are not "useful" markers anyway. What is important on these is if you see a steady trend upwards.

This is "not meaningful"...try not to stress out about it!

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

if you read about these tests, you will find that it is very normal for them to fluctuate up and down; as long as they are below normal or near normal (even if slightly above), doctors don't get concerned.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Once again, I can't offer you any advice than what these wonderful ladies told you BUT I can give out hugs..........

Here goes................................

Hug!!!!!

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Hi Colleen -
most doctors would say that such a slight change is "not significant."

A couple tenths of a point can be due to any number of causes. Even lab tech or testing changes.

Check them again in 6 months and save any freaking out for later at such time the numbers might change and go closer to being out of normal. I think chances are good that is not going to happen!

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Your minor fluctuations are not significant, Diannes. Okay, it's okay to breathe! When do we ever move on from the paranoia? I know exactly how you feel! Ugh....!

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Please don't freak out. Maybe there was a bit of temporary inflamation after the surgery. Inflamation can raise tumor markers. Perhaps waiting a few weeks and repeating the tests would be a good idea.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Dianne,
Really....no need to freak out.

During a conversation with my Onc regarding tumor markers she informed me that she has tried to limit the frequency of tumor marker testing she performs as the swings in the results causes undue concern.

These are great results, well within range...take a deep breath and enjoy every moment of life. Don't waste it on these test results. (I know...easier said than done)

Calming thoughts...coming your way....Lori

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Diannes,

I know how you feel. Before my bc cancer spread, I used to freak out if my tumor markers went up, even if they were still within the normal range. But the docs were not concerned since the markers were in normal limits.

I just had my markers done again recently, and they're normal, as usual. In fact, they've never been out of the normal range even though my cancer has spread to my lung and brain.

Try not to worry. I calm myself down by saying: at this moment I'm free of cancer, and until another test shows otherwise, I'm going to live in that freedom.

Joan

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

My onc down at Mayo said that he doesn't put much faith in those tests. There are too many other things that can cause an increase in the readings. However, last time I was there for my Herceptin, he did order one that came back neg. Please try not to worry.

Sandra

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

ditto to the "don't freak out"!! tumor marker tests fluctuate, sometimes quite a bit, and that does not necessarily mean that anything is going on. My onc. said if my tumor marker tests were "way off" from the previous ones, then she would wait a month and then repeat. The tumor markers are just a tiny piece of the cancer puzzle!! XO Suzan

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Hi,

First, I agree with Chrisy - the elvation of those numbers were so 'tiny', there's really no need for any concern.

Second, I agree with my oncologist (and Joan) - those tests are not reliable enough for me to have them.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Mine flucuate all the time and really, your numbers are so close, they really are the same numbers. This is just lab test variation.

Re: Tumour marker test results!!!!!!
 

Your numbers are considered stable - the same - it could be the difference of one lab to the next. Ask any oncologist - they will reassure you.

What you don't want to see are numbers that are doubling or tripling. Yours are virtually the same. I would not be concerned.