Stage IV gals- anyone have stable tumor markers?
 

Ladies,
Just wondering if there are any stage IV gals out there with stable (yet elevated) tumor markers? My hope with my therapy had always been to have them as low as possible, but now I'm trying to embrace the fact that they will probably never really reach normal levels. I'm wondering also for those few gals like StephN who have reached NED, are your tumor markers still elevated or are they within normal ranges?

My doctor is very anti-imaging unless it is necessary- so we won't scan until markers show an upward trend.

Thanks everyone, your posts are so helpful and encouraging.

Re: Stage IV gals- anyone have stable tumor markers?
 

My tumor markers were between 9 & 11 (ca 27/29) for 5 years when I was early stage. When I was diagnosed with liver mets, they jumped to 50.

A few months after chemo they dropped back to normal. I have been NED for 15 months, and they now fluctuate between 9 & 17.
I also have the Her2 serum test and that is also in the normal range, last reading was 12.

Laurie

Re: Stage IV gals- anyone have stable tumor markers?
 

I went on the TDM-1 trial in Sept. 2007. After about two months my tumor markers were normal. Unfortunately, I had to go off the trial about two years later due to lung inflammation, a very rare side effect of this drug. After that, I started Tykerb/Herceptin and have continued to be NED with normal tumor markers. Tykerb/Herceptin is not currently approved and my insurance gave me a difficult time approving it for me. Fortunately, I was able to get it approved. I only take 4 tablets of Tykerb vs. 5 and that works for me. I can just about eat anything I want, but I have to be careful since I am a teacher. It is not always easy to get to a bathroom in my job. My most annoying problem are my nails that are thin. It is also very difficult for me to keep my too large toenails from becoming infected. I could use some advice for my nail issues. In addition, I have to use cream on my fingers, that seem to develop paper like cuts from time to time.
Best,
Barbara H.