ca 15.3

[many]

the tumor marker has been between 12-18 since last 2 years and now today it is 33 (normal is below31.3)

i had some fever and cough before testing

what could be the cause for this elevation?

is this something serois?

the MO is not concerned

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

CA 15.3 is not used for screening any form of cancer. It is used only in those situations, where someone has a relapse of breast cancer, to monitor the effects of treatment.

[many in reply to sumeet_shah]

I was just. Worried due to elevation of CA 15.3 over normal limit as well as over last reading .does this mean I have mets ???

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

No, CA 15.3 is not specific for any mets, hence it is not to be used for 'detecting' metastases. It is used in those patients who already have been detected with mets, as an indicator of response to therapy. Meaning - suppose someone has been detected with mets from breast cancer. Before starting chemo for such a person, we do 15.3 and then, after 2 or 3 cycels, we can do it again. If CA 15.3 decreases as compared to the reading taken before starting the chemo, it means that the chemo is probably working. That's what CA 15.3 is used for. This type of use of a tumour marker is called a 'predictive' use, which means, it predicts whether treatment is working or not.

[many in reply to sumeet_shah]

Why is after all Ca15.3 elevated ? Any benign reasons ?

[many in reply to sumeet_shah]

Why is after all Ca15.3 elevated ? Any benign reasons ?

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Yes, CA 15.3 can get elevated in many other situations, without any mets as well. I have seen people have CA 15.3 more than 100, even without a single met. That's why we do not use 15.3 to 'diagnose' any mets. Standard guidelines strongly urge NOT to do CA 15.3 as a routine, as it causes lot of unnecessary apprehension for no reason.

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Read these guidelines, they will solve your doubts:

asco.org/quality-guidelines...

In the above link, read the 'Recommendations' part.

And then, read the following: (Again, read the Recommendations' part)

cancer.net/about-us/collabo...

[psra in reply to sumeet_shah]

Thank you for your time to time guidance it certainly helps in lowering anxiety. my wife has undergone third chemotherapy on 6th sept overall she is feeling ok but from yesterday she has feeling that she is not being able to empty her bladder fully.Earlier when she was not diagnosed with cancer she had sometime problem and on doctors advise she had taken urispass tablet

can she take it now .

Thanks

[sumeet_shah Administrator in reply to psra]

Yeah, she can take Urispas, I don't think there shld be a problem.

[psra in reply to sumeet_shah]

thanks

[many]

Does this elevation warrant change of current regimen of Nolvadex to AI like femera or armidex ?

[sumeet_shah Administrator in reply to many]

No, I don't think so.

[many]

Does this elevation warrant change of current regimen of Nolvadex to AI like femera or armidex ?

[Lamchee]

May be.Your onco may consider mamo to compare with earlier one.If Barad5, he may go for FNAC/biopsy

[many]

Mammo is clear

[many]

Dear Dr Summeet Shah

CLINICAL HISTORY--I had been diagonised Stage-3, ER+,PR+,HER- IN 2011 And had FEC X 4+TAXOTERE X 4 along with Radiation for 25 days and in remission thereafter.

The tumor marker ca 15.3 has been between 12-18 since last 2 years and now today it is 33

(normal is below 31.3)

Does this elevation OF CA 15.3 warrant change of current regimen of Nolvadex to AI like femera or armidex ?

I am worried that I may be having Mets due to elevation of ca15.3 markers

I AM RELIEVED SINCE YESTERDAY BY YOUR ANSWERS

PLZ GUIDE AND HELP

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Elevation of CA 15.3 is not used in any decision making ,including changing of hormones.

What you can do is, meet your Oncologist and discuss it with him / her. If he wants and advises, you can get an ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis done, along with x ray of the chest. And if both are normal, no change in any treatment at present. Continue with your hormonal agents.

[many]

Sir , After elevation of CA 15.3 We already did all tests in July --USG of abdomen and pelvis and mammosono gram. And chest PA X ray done .----all normal and also i totally have no symptoms and ii am totally fine and fit Is this elevation in CA15.3 a false positive? We met MO and he is not concerned .is this just my anxiety ??? Should I stop thinking about slightly elevated CA. 15.3???

PLZ REPLY

[many]

Sir , After elevation of CA 15.3 We already did all tests in July --USG of abdomen and pelvis and mammosono gram. And chest PA X ray done .----all normal and also i totally have no symptoms and ii am totally fine and fit Is this elevation in CA15.3 a false positive? We met MO and he is not concerned .is this just my anxiety ??? Should I stop thinking about slightly elevated CA. 15.3??? Plz reply

[many in reply to many]

Sir , After elevation of CA 15.3 We already did all tests in July --USG of abdomen and pelvis and mammosono gram. And chest PA X ray done .----all normal and also i totally have no symptoms and ii am totally fine and fit Is this elevation in CA15.3 a false positive? We met MO and he is not concerned .is this just my anxiety ??? Should I stop thinking about slightly elevated CA. 15.3??? Plz reply

[many]

Sumeet sir

Plz Reply to my Above Post

[manish_vkg TeamBCI]

i know my reply would not reduce your anxiety but he has already answered your query no need to worry and ur MO also said there is no issue but still if u are not satisfy take the second opinion bcu ur satisfaction is more important..Be Positive...

[many]

Just wanted to hear the samefrom Sumeet sir

[many]

Sir , After elevation of CA 15.3 We already did all tests in July --USG of abdomen and pelvis and mammosono gram. And chest PA X ray done .----all normal and also i totally have no symptoms and ii am totally fine and fit Is this elevation in CA15.3 a false positive? We met MO and he is not concerned .is this just my anxiety ??? Should I stop thinking about slightly elevated CA. 15.3??? Plz reply

[many]

Sir , After elevation of CA 15.3 We already did all tests in July --USG of abdomen and pelvis and mammosono gram. And chest PA X ray done .----all normal and also i totally have no symptoms and ii am totally fine and fit Is this elevation in CA15.3 a false positive? We met MO and he is not concerned .is this just my anxiety ??? Should I stop thinking about slightly elevated CA. 15.3??? Plz reply

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

If all your tests are fine, you need not worry at all. Elevation of CA 15.3 can be for other reasons.

If you wish, repeat the ultrasound and xray after three months

[many]

We are doing -sono-abdomen and Chest x ray every six months so we will repeat this tests in November .do you believe that there might be mets somewhere in my body?? ( since you are recommending sonography )?

[many]

e are doing -sono-abdomen and Chest x ray every six months so we will repeat this tests in November .do you believe that there might be mets somewhere in my body?? ( since you are recommending sonography )?

[many]

We are doing -sono-abdomen and Chest x ray every six months so we will repeat this tests in November .do you believe that there might be mets somewhere in my body?? ( since you are recommending sonography )?

[many]

We are doing -sono-abdomen and Chest x ray every six months so we will repeat this tests in November .do you believe that there might be mets somewhere in my body?? ( since you are recommending sonography )?

[kontak TeamBCI in reply to many]

Hi many - if you have a separate querry - do type in a new post - you will receive a quick feedback

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

many, do not think about mets based on that CA 15.3 report. There are many non cancerous situations where it may just rise. DIscuss with your Oncologist what he feels about this, and whether he wishes to do any tests further. I would probably do a chest x ray and sonography and if grossly all is well, then just continue a routine follow up.

[many]

The oncologist doesn't believe in Tumor marker and just advised sonography of abdomen and pelvis and chest X-ray and mammogram of breast which is what we did.and I am fit and fine .all tests were normal .do you advise any thing else

[many]

The oncologist doesn't believe in Tumor marker and just advised sonography of abdomen and pelvis and chest X-ray and mammogram of breast which is what we did.and I am fit and fine .all tests were normal .do you advise any thing else

[many]

The oncologist doesn't believe in Tumor marker and just advised sonography of abdomen and pelvis and chest X-ray and mammogram of breast which is what we did.and I am fit and fine .all tests were normal .do you advise any thing else