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Unfortunately I'm one whose tumor markers do not rise. Even in July when advanced to Stage IV tumor markers were still normal. My oncologist said that tumor markers are not a good indicator for me. Upon my original diagnosis of Stage IIIC my tumor marker was 15.3. I relied on the HER2 serum test. My baseline was 10.1 and gradually dropped to 6.3. When it went up to 9.5 in June I asked for a scan and that's when we found the lung mets. My tumor marker is still normal. I do know that there are several women on the board whose tumor markers are a great indicator.
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Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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