[kristen]

Hi Pat,

It's for this very reason my onc. does not believe in tumor markers. She firmly believes that symptoms will appear before the TM numbers rise. From asking the same questions on this board, a lot of women are "right on" with certain TM's and the return of there cancer. What my onc and these women will tell you is that a cold, different meds for something your on can cause you TM's to rise. So what your onc looks at is a pattern.

Just from being a member and reading posts over the last 18 months or so, it has been my experience, Ok, (let's hope chemo brain isnt' writing this) but they jump up in numbers significantly. Not just by a few points. My onc. does run TM's for me just because I want them. Mine have certainly risen over the months but have always stayed in the normal range, except the CEA, which is over the 3.5, but not over 5 so they don't worry about it. I had mine drawn Monday and I am getting a little mad that they can't seem to find them or they are not back yet. She (the nurse) says she will have them for me by the end of the day (today) still nothing. But I feel great and don't expect to find anything, but I just love to hear that they are in normal range.

It will be interesting what others have to say about this and what there experiences have been with tumor markers. Hang in there.