Tumor Markers

[PatS]

I know tumor markers can be elevated for many reasons and have never asked my onc my results since I knew I'd analyze them too much and worry about the fluctuations. Well, since I'm considering starting herceptin (almost 3 years out of chemo and NED after being diag. Stage 3 in 07/2002) and am waiting to see if my insurance will cover it, I decided to ask for a copy of my file and see what they were.

My latest CA 27.29 was 40.5 (normal range 0.0-38.6), which is just slightly elevated, but when do you start to worry? My scores seem to stay at the high end of normal as my previous scores were 33.5, 38.6, 33.2, 37.2, 32.9, 40.2, and 37.3. I guess I expected them to be lower since scans show NED and now wonder if this means something's lurking, waiting to show itself.

Thanks for your help.

Pat