Markers

[Boogitymom]

At today's appointment I was told I don't express markers. Has anyone else been told this and can better explain how it effects treatment and outcome.

[Kats2]

Boogitymom,

My Oncologist says that tumor markers work for 80% of the population, 20% no.

I always have mine done each month. It just gives my doctor a general idea if my meds are working or not. The lower the number, the better. I have the CA 15-3 Antigen blood test done. Some have the 27-29. It's a matter of your doctor s preference.

Some Oncologists don't do tumor markers at all. They say they're unreliable. Personally, I like having them done. At least it shows some indication of what's going on with my BC. Scans show more, of course.

I wouldn't worry about this matter. As long as your Oncologist is following your progress by scans, examinations, etc., then you're okay. I hope your Oncologist is watching your other bloodwork like your red/white counts, hematocrit numbers , etc. Always get a printout of your bloodwork when it's taken and keep them in a file or box.

Good luck with your treatments! Kats2

[Halfpint2]

I've been told that my body doesn't produce the proteins to generate markers so my oncologist doesn't follow them. I'm Stage 4 breast cancer metasticized to both lungs. Ibrance and Femara (letrozole) have worked wonders.

[Boogitymom in reply to Halfpint2]

Thanks for your feedback, I'm on the same meds and have also had excellent results, I'm stage 4 with metastasis to the bone

[Hidden]

I am on Xeloda having had 3 years on Letrozole thn the CA15-9 went way up and liver spot showed growth. My oncologist takes ca125 and CEA markers on each blood test and periodically Ca15-3. The latter apparently doesn't know I have breast cancer any more! the other two tend to yoyo and have been climbing for the past several cycles which I find scary. However after CT, bone and MRI scans showed no progression and liver spot had shrunk. she took me off the Xeloda for a month - and the markers dropped! We are all now rather confused though my oncologist does seem to think markers are not always too reliable and my next CT on Friday will hopefully endorse this. Fingers crossed. Seems we all have different reactions to our medications and the markers are, at best, a rough guide.