[tousled1]

I really must chime in on this one with my experience.

My regular tumor markers were never reliable. 15.3 at diagnosis os Stage IIIC and basically still at 15.3 and I'm now Stage IV

HER2 serum test - baseline right before beginning Herceptin was 10.1. While on Herceptin it continually dropped and reached a low of 6.3 and stayed there. Stopped Herceptin April 20th. End of June had HER2 serum test and it came back at 9.5 -- still well within normal.

Oncologist then ordered a ct scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis -- mets to both lungs

Oncologist also ordered a ct brain scan - a blip showed up on one image we thought it was nothing but oncologist ordered an MRI to follow up. Lo and behold a 5mm met to the brain.

Evidentally, my system for some reason is very sensitive to the HER2 serum test but not the regular tumor marker test.

Each and every one of us is different. Some women on the board can rely on their tumor markers and if they go up then it means something is going on. Others tumor markers just don't jive.

The HER2 serum test was approved by the FDA not too long ago and I think that is why some oncologists don't use it. I'm very thankful that mine does otherwise I would not know that I have lung mets and a met to the brain as I have absolutely no symptoms.

That's my two cents on the HER2 serum test. It certainly works for me and my oncologist and I agree that we will continue to use it to monitor me.