tumor markers
 

Hi all:

I have just completed treatment for Stage III her2+ breast cancer. Had 3 mos of taxol/herceptin, bilateral mastectomy w/ node dissection, 3 mos of A/C chemo, radiation, and balance of year on herceptin. Finished end of December 2011.

My oncologist does not want to track tumor markers in follow-up visits. He says it leads to too many false positives. This makes me nervous. I understand not wanting to scan all the time, but I'm wondering if most of you Stage III or below-ers have your tumor markers done at follow-up visits.

I understand ASCO recommends against it, but my research shows that the studies those recommendations are based on are very old. Europe does recommend tracking tumor markers. I'm a big girl and am not a fan of the "we don't want to upset you if your numbers go up" position. I was misdiagnosed for 3 years and had to fight for an MRI before I was even diagnosed properly. I like having as much info as possible.

So what do your oncologists do? Do they track tumor markers or not, and if so, what ones?

Many thanks--

Pilgrim37

Re: tumor markers
 

Pilgrim
In my case, tumor markers like the CA27-29 or 15-3 are not reliable....They were always within normal range even when I had progression. Since I have been stage 4 since 2003, I now rely on CTscans and CEA's blood test to check on response. Tumor markers are right on for some, and useless for others...hope this helps...I dont think we ever get over the worries!

Re: tumor markers
 

Hi
I attend a major centre in England. We do not do tumour markers as the oncs don't think they are helpful. I have tried to get them to change their mind but no success.
Ellie

Re: tumor markers
 

My onc has always ran a CA27.29. Alot of onc's don't run them because they aren't reliable and just don't work for everyone. However they work real well for me. If my markers start inching up I know somethings going on. My onc will run the CA27.29 more often when my numbers start climbing. Not long ago I talked my onc into now running a CTC test too. I had to be very pro-active to get my onc to agree to that. Plus the fact that I jumped to be stage IV might of helped.

Chelee

Re: tumor markers
 

I, too, questioned my oncologist about tumor markers and he told me that he did not feel they were reliable. Since I was doing well I decided I'd trust him. That was 6 years ago and I am still doing just fine.
Love & hugs,
Marlys