HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - at ASCO meeting, poster presenter on measuring tumor markers in the CSF

CourtneyL · 06-05-2011, 06:17 PM

Thanks for the post, Lani.

I've had my CSF tested for the presence of cancer cells twice now. Both times have tested negative. However, because two of my most recent brain mets appear outside the brain tissue itself, we are doing the intrathecal Herceptin as a way to reach these tumors. We do monitor my tumor markers about once a month (CA 15-3). But interestingly, they don't seem to correlate with my brain mets. They are extremely accurate at indicating what is going on with my disease below the neck. Every time they are on the rise, I have had progression and vice versa, when they go down, the tumors regress. However, when I was first diagnosed with brain mets in December 2008, my tumor markers were the lowest they'd ever been. So at least for me, they don't tell the whole picture.

I do indeed hope that others may benefit from my experience. I've just had my third intrathecal treatment and things are going well. We'll scan my brain again soon and I hope to see more shrinkage. I will, of course, keep all of you updated.

06-05-2011, 06:17 PM	#2
CourtneyL Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 260	Re: at ASCO meeting, poster presenter on measuring tumor markers in the CSF Thanks for the post, Lani. I've had my CSF tested for the presence of cancer cells twice now. Both times have tested negative. However, because two of my most recent brain mets appear outside the brain tissue itself, we are doing the intrathecal Herceptin as a way to reach these tumors. We do monitor my tumor markers about once a month (CA 15-3). But interestingly, they don't seem to correlate with my brain mets. They are extremely accurate at indicating what is going on with my disease below the neck. Every time they are on the rise, I have had progression and vice versa, when they go down, the tumors regress. However, when I was first diagnosed with brain mets in December 2008, my tumor markers were the lowest they'd ever been. So at least for me, they don't tell the whole picture. I do indeed hope that others may benefit from my experience. I've just had my third intrathecal treatment and things are going well. We'll scan my brain again soon and I hope to see more shrinkage. I will, of course, keep all of you updated. __________________ 4/17/08: Dx Stage IV at age 30 - extensive mets to liver, lungs, and bones. Er/Pr-, Her2+++ April 08-Aug 08:Taxotere, Cytoxan, Herceptin, Zometa - complete response! Sept 08-Dec 08: Herceptin +Zometa for maintenance. Jan 09-April 09: Brain mets. Add Tykerb. Watch and wait. April 09: Gamma Knife 10 brain mets, add Xeloda. Sept 09: Gamma Knife to 1 brain met. Nov 09- April 10: Lung progression, add Gemzar to Herceptin, Zometa. May 10- Sept 10: HER2 Vaccine Trial Sept 10: Add Tykerb for more brain mets. Oct 10: Gamma Knife to 7 brain mets. Dec 10: Switch from Zometa to Denosumab. Jan 11: Gamma Knife to 3 brain mets. March 11: Gemzar/Herceptin for lung/bone progression. April 11: More brain mets - Intrathecal Herceptin June 11: Ixempra/Herceptin for lung, soft tissue progression. Aug 11: Gamma Knife Sep 11: Abraxane/Herceptin Future: NED Send me a PM if you'd like to follow my journey on Caringbridge.