Contradicting results

AmnaAlBoom

My mother has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to the bones and liver. She is currently on enhertu and she did MRI last week, the results of the MRI showed progression of the tumors in the liver compared to two months ago, however the tumor markers test showed low numbers compared to one month ago. Did anyone ever experienced this? Because i don't understand how can the MRI show progression however the tumor markers test show low levels. Im very worried and stressed honestly..

RocDocVic

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329659/contradicting-results

The scans are more accurate, since the ctDNA biomarker tests rely on the amount of circulating tumor DNA. The cancer cells may not be shedding enough of the DNA for it to reflect the progression. It may take another couple of tests to reflect the progression. Talk with her Oncologist about this.

AmnaAlBoom

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724438#Comment_1724438

Her oncologist said she will do a liquid biopsy and then decide. Is a liquid biopsy more accurate?

RocDocVic

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724439#Comment_1724439

I thought that was the test she is having. A liquid biopsy is for circulating DNA but they typically send in a sample of the original tumor so it is more specific to the type of cancer you have. It is more sensitive than the general biomarkers test. Is it the Signatera test that the Oncologist wants to use? You can Google this specific test to read about it. Also Google liquid biopsy tests for Breast Cancer.

AmnaAlBoom

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724440#Comment_1724440

i think so yes its the signatera test. Because the original tumor markers (CA15-3) showed low levels(80) compared to July (115). However the MRI test showed progression in the liver compared to July. This is why the doctor suggested to do the signatera test to find out what's going on.

RocDocVic

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724441#Comment_1724441

Have they taken a biopsy of the liver and checked it for genetic markers and to see if there have been mutations that make it harder to treat? Some cancers do this and then they typically will try a different drug that is more targeted to the mutations. I'd ask about this.

AmnaAlBoom

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724442#Comment_1724442

yes they did take a liver biopsy a year ago and it showed that its her 2 negative ER+ PR-

I'll definitely ask the oncologist about this, thank you!

RocDocVic

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724443#Comment_1724443

Check out this link and video. They do next generation sequence genomics testing for the possible mutations to see if they are present. She also discussed several treatment options for ER positive and HER2 negative cancer.

https://www.oncologynewscentral.com/podcast/breast-cancer/second-line-er-positive-breast-cancer-has-just-become-very-complicated

AmnaAlBoom

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724446#Comment_1724446

will do! Thank you