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06-27-2006, 08:48 PM
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#1
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Guest
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Ca 15-3
My onc. faxed me my blood test results today and I have a big question:
My CA 15-3 was 26 in Dec. and jumped to 38 this month (range is <35) while my CEA went from 1.0 in Dec. to 1.9 (range is < 3.1 for non-smokers) and my CA 27-29 was 33 in Dec. and is 36 (range is 0-40). Everything increased but the CEA and CA 27-29 were still in normal range, except the CA 15-3 which really jumped at 12 points. I'm freaked out to say the least, but my onc.'s note said to repeat the test in two months.
If it were you, what's the best thing to do at this point? Wait two months? Ask for a repeat in one month? Ask for additional tests or scans?
Thanks for your suggestions.
Vicki
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06-27-2006, 09:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
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Vicki here; I forgot to register
Hi Everyone,
I hope to hear from some of you with your thoughts!
Thanks,
Vicki
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06-28-2006, 05:40 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Vicki
For a lot of us...tumor markers are not at all reliable.....I would wait and have it repeated in a couple months. Alot of things can affect these tests....how long since you finished chemo? That can affect the reliability of the test.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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06-28-2006, 05:51 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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I agree with Sheila. Tumor marker tests are unreliable. I'd wait and have them repeated in 2 months.
__________________
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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06-28-2006, 07:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 44
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Thanks for your feedback
You're making me feel better already. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter. I still don't know what can affect the tumor marker readings, but my last treatment was a while ago. I took HTC in Aug., 2004, so it's been almost two years. Will keep you posted.
Big hugs,
Vicki
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06-28-2006, 04:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Hey Vicki
I wasn't sure it was you at first. Tumor markers are very, very unreliable. CEA can easily go up if you have had just one glass of wine the night before (so a tip is to not have any alcoholic drinks the night before). The CA 15-3 is even more unreliable than the newer CA 27/29 (and in reality, with the CA 27/29, there is no difference between the two readings you had there at all). If you don't want the wait, you can always ask for the bloodwork to be repeated in a month instead of two months. Infection and illness or being slightly allergic can also alter the results.
I am thinking about you and smiling.
Love, Becky
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