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hutchibk · 04-17-2007, 09:13 PM

I know that not all oncs like or follow tumor markers. In my case, my tumor markers have corresponded directly with each of my 3 recurrences. The tumor markers have been our earliest indication of recurrence.

After my initial mastectomy and chemo (TAC), we did scans when we were done (CT and bone scan). Then we followed tumor markers and blood work for the first few 3 month check-ups. Then I believe we did scans again at a year out from chemo. All clear. Then at the next 3 month check-up we saw the tumor marker go up a tiny bit, so we noted to keep an eye on it. Two months later (one month before my next check-up) I had surgery to remove scar tissue from around my implant, and a tiny spot of tumor came off of the muscle with the scar tissue... that explained the rising tumor marker. My onc got me immediately into all scans (CT, bone, brain MRI and PET) and we found very early spots in my lungs and chest nodes. Immediately went on chemo for 5 months (Taxol/Carbo/Herc, stayed on Herc alone after that). 6 months later we saw the tumor markers inch up again and jumped into scans and found that there was a spot in the neck and the chest nodes were shining again. Immediately added Taxol back in and have been stable ever since last August. Until about 6 weeks ago when
the tumor markers inched up yet again... right at the same time that we had scheduled a coincidental MRI to look at and measure the neck spot as well as a quick check of the brain for good measure, and voila! 3 small brain mets.

I like following tumor markers, personally, as another tool to keep an eye on things...

04-17-2007, 09:13 PM	#7
hutchibk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,519	I know that not all oncs like or follow tumor markers. In my case, my tumor markers have corresponded directly with each of my 3 recurrences. The tumor markers have been our earliest indication of recurrence. After my initial mastectomy and chemo (TAC), we did scans when we were done (CT and bone scan). Then we followed tumor markers and blood work for the first few 3 month check-ups. Then I believe we did scans again at a year out from chemo. All clear. Then at the next 3 month check-up we saw the tumor marker go up a tiny bit, so we noted to keep an eye on it. Two months later (one month before my next check-up) I had surgery to remove scar tissue from around my implant, and a tiny spot of tumor came off of the muscle with the scar tissue... that explained the rising tumor marker. My onc got me immediately into all scans (CT, bone, brain MRI and PET) and we found very early spots in my lungs and chest nodes. Immediately went on chemo for 5 months (Taxol/Carbo/Herc, stayed on Herc alone after that). 6 months later we saw the tumor markers inch up again and jumped into scans and found that there was a spot in the neck and the chest nodes were shining again. Immediately added Taxol back in and have been stable ever since last August. Until about 6 weeks ago when the tumor markers inched up yet again... right at the same time that we had scheduled a coincidental MRI to look at and measure the neck spot as well as a quick check of the brain for good measure, and voila! 3 small brain mets. I like following tumor markers, personally, as another tool to keep an eye on things... __________________ Brenda NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...) Nov'03~ dX stage 2B Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo. Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic! Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2 Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone) Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors. Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen. Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen. June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen. Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice. Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots. Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011. Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah. "I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."