change in tumor markers

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bobbiejo
bobbiejo Member Posts: 23
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am about a year out from finishing chemo. On my three month check up my tumor marker was 12. Six months later it is 30. I was so happy to hear it was still "normal" I didn't think about the fact that it had more than doubled. Now I am anxious about getting my levels checked again. Will they double again and put over the safe mark? I didn't think about it until recently. My appointment is in two weeks, so I just wanted to get your thoughts on it before I go.

Thanks,
Bobbie Jo

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  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
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    Some hospitals don't even do tumor markers, like Baylor College of Medicine. MDAnderson says they don't really get excited unless patient is having symptoms. My CEA and CA27.29 have been going up since Dec 2001. CEA is now 252, and CA27.29 is 135
    and I'm feeling fine. Now I do recommend an initial work up because something may be going on, but if all scans are clear and you feel good... hey, you can't treat what's not there! God bless. hummingbyrd
  • ktinkey
    ktinkey Member Posts: 170
    #3
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    Bobbie Jo,

    I agree with Hummingbird. My oncologist does check the tumor markers, but she doesn't rely on them. Everyone is different. She monitors me by symptoms. My cancer actually started to grow again and my tumor markers went down! I am always in the normal range and I am Stage IV, so you can see - they are markers, but they are not in concrete. Listen to your body, not the markers. If something needs checked out, have it done, but if you feel great, then don't let yourself worry. I know that is not easy to do, but you have to keep your mental attitude up as best you can. Talk with your oncologist and we are all here to help also.

    God Bless,
    Kathy
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #4
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    Ditto the other ladies replies.

    My onc also does the markers but doesn't rely on them exclusively. She said that if they began to rise steadily she MAY do a scan or two, just to see if it reveals anything but not necessarily.

    She explained to me, early on when I'd asked what they were and what they revealed, that the markers can be effected by many things...even dietary supplements, smoking and various medications, or they can fluctuate from one screening to the next for no known reason at all. Doesn't seem a very reliable tool, does it? According to my onc, it's just a tool that doctor's are trying to learn how to use better and determine how much value/application they really have in follow ups.

    My advice: as long as you feel good and have no recurring pain, etc., let your doctor worry about the markers! One less thing for you to worry about.


    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • jcavanaugh
    jcavanaugh Member Posts: 100
    #5
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    inkblot said:

    Ditto the other ladies replies.

    My onc also does the markers but doesn't rely on them exclusively. She said that if they began to rise steadily she MAY do a scan or two, just to see if it reveals anything but not necessarily.

    She explained to me, early on when I'd asked what they were and what they revealed, that the markers can be effected by many things...even dietary supplements, smoking and various medications, or they can fluctuate from one screening to the next for no known reason at all. Doesn't seem a very reliable tool, does it? According to my onc, it's just a tool that doctor's are trying to learn how to use better and determine how much value/application they really have in follow ups.

    My advice: as long as you feel good and have no recurring pain, etc., let your doctor worry about the markers! One less thing for you to worry about.


    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink

    What type of cancer do you have? My dad was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in May 2002 with one spot in the liver. Everything was surgically removed in Summer 2002. He went on chemotherapy for a year (4 weeks on and 2 weeks off). He finished chemo in September 2003. In December 2003, he had a clean PET scan and normal CEA level. His CEA level was never really that elevated before the surgery. I know it was less than four but greater than 3. In January, he had a perfet blood test (CEA level). In February, his CEA level slightly increased according to his doctor. He told us that this was no big deal. We were scheduled for a CAT scan prior to the results of this test. My dad had his CAT scan yesterday. The doctor wants to check his blood every two weeks instead of every week. Should I be concerned? Has anyone experienced this and everything was okay?

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