Do your CEAs or CA 15-3s fluctuate much?

Vic · 10-28-2008, 10:47 AM

I've been having these two tests about once a year and they seem to fluctuate just enough to cause me anxiety and concern. Do any of you have some experience with this? I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Vic

Believe51 · 10-28-2008, 11:25 AM

Can you give us an example??>>Believe51

Vic · 10-28-2008, 11:54 AM

My most recent CA 15-3 was 38 (lab report says <35 is normal). Last Oct., 2007, it was 34 and in April, 2007 it was 39. So, it's always hovering at these numbers.

My most recent CEA was 3.0 (nonsmokers normal range on my lab report shows: 0 - 3.1), so this was normal, but when I compared it to my last Oct., 2007 blood tests, my CEA was 1.9, so it had gone up 1.1 pts. in one year.

Coincidentally, I was diagnosed with a small melanoma in situ on my arm and it was surgically excised two weeks ago and the margins are clear as I saw my dermatologist yesterday and got my final report on it (yea!), but I don't think that would have anything to do with these other markers.

I read on this site somewhere that her2 circulates in our bodies and for some it may run higher. My onc. said we could repeat these tests in six to 10 weeks and I will. She said if there was another increase, she would do a clinical evaluation (I guess that means an office visit). I just get anxious and concerned and would love to hear from some of you.

Thanks for responding Believe51 and others.

Vicki Z

Becky · 10-28-2008, 12:56 PM

Hi Vicki

I just had to respond. As far as the CA15-3 - those readings are all the same and you run high but that's just you. If I remember correctly, you have always run this way.

As far as the CEA, it has risen but did you get the blood drawn right after surgery. Surgery causes considerable inflammation and the CEA will be measuring this and may not be measuring any tumor growth. Waiting about 2 months or so and getting it redone will easily show this and you will see that your melanoma surgery did this and the inflammation and healing process causes the CEA chemical to also be produced. Getting it redone later will ease your mind (it would ease mine).

I miss you Vicki

Love, Becky

Vic · 10-28-2008, 02:53 PM

Hey Becky-Love,

It's always so good to hear from you! Actually, I had my blood drawn the day before my surgery. I agree with you about getting it redone in a couple of months, because that's probably the only way it will ease my mind.

Thanks for your wise words, and, yes, I have always run fairly high, with 26 being my lowest back in 2005, I think. Say, my onc. wants me to start Zometa infusions every six months for three years, because of the work by Michael Gnant, MD, that "Zoledronic acid basically reduced events in all of the subcategories, not only bone metastasis." She gave me a handout on it at my visit last week. However, she said that since my bone density test from last year is normal (no osteoporosis or osteopenia) that I would have to pay for it out of pocket. Hmmm, I wonder if I could have them submit it to my insurance and see if they pick it up. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you are always ahead of the curve on these things, Wonder Woman! She also gave me a paper on taking Vit. D, but I'm already doing that with 2,000 IU of Vit. D-3.

Oh yeah, since I'm filling you in, my onc. is also referring me to a genetic counselor, probably because of the recent melanoma in situ deal. Maybe he'll also test me for BRCA 1 and 2, for which I've never been tested. I always thought that was something they tested right after a person's mastectomy or lumpectomy, but she said "no."

Hope you got my card and photo in the mail. You can actually see the tiny, tiny light tan melanoma in situ in the photo on my right bicep. We were in Vegas.

Thanks again for your reassuring words. Miss you, too.

Love,

Vicki