tumor markers up on navelbine/herceptin - what does it mean?

I've been on navelbine/herceptin since 1-04 for bone mets. ca2729 was around high 80's last spring, then down to 57 at lowest in early August, then 60, today up to 72. A 12 pt jump in one month. I have no new symptoms; I've been feeling good on navelbine, little side effects. I had a slight infection near my port line when the last blood draw was taken, & was put on antibiotics. I know all the disucssion about the inconsistencies of tumor markers. but, they've been a pretty accurate indicator for me in past. Does any one know, could an infection throw off the test results? I had PET scan in June that was stable and am scheduled for another PET the end of October. I TRY to be calm, and logical about the significance of "one little blood test", but really it throws me into a panic. Thanks for listening. pam

Hi Pam, I also go into panic mode when my tumor marker goes up and I am not feeling any different. Oncologist told me not to worry about it because they are not that accurate, but then why do they go up? Maybe someone on the board can help us both understand this.

They look for trends. It could go up one month and then back down. If it keeps going up, that is an indication the treatments have started to become ineffective. Which means time to switch chemos. I was on Xeloda for a little over a year and I had the markers go up and up. I switched and then they went back down. As I understand, these chemos are good for a limited amount of time. Good thing they have dozens out there!

Lisa

Stay very calm...Do not stress out..
It could only mean you might have to take chemo a little longer...
I am taking cisplatin and herceptin almost three years now..I am near remission..I believe the best thing for anyone on chemo..Laughter,you can never get enough..
With cancer-You can laugh and live...Or you can cry-and die...Believe me I am still alive after fighting breast cancer over 8 years..And am very near remission...It does work(laughter)....
Wake up every day and say,something wonderful is going to happen to me today..And go out into the world believing that,your life will be so much better...