Rising CA15.3 and 27.29 but no PET evidence of anything

[Gmato8]

I was diagnosed with mbc after a 3cm tumor was found in chest - crushing my SVC which then led to stents required to fix that. That was found Jun 2017. Radiation destroyed the tumor as of Aug 2017 and I was put on Ibrance and Faslodex. White counts suffered so was reduced from 125 to 100 to 75mg Ibrance. As of Sep 2018 markers began to rise, and not fall as they have for past year. Numbers are low - only 40 when active cancer found. No at 96 and 107 (15 & 27.29). White counts improved so doc agreed to increase Ibrance now to 100mg but still no change in TM. 3 PET scans, as recent as 12/16/18 do not show anything. So frightening that the numbers continue to rise but scans show nothing. This month they asked about possible headaches, dizzyness, etc... leading to brain of course. Thankfully, I insisted on brain MRI when this all began as I know PETs can't scan brain. And thankfully, I have no symptoms that would suggest METS to brain. Question is - why are the numbers going up? Was 5pts/mo, then 10, and this month jumped almost 20pts. Docs say they'll wait one more mo and then order PET in Apr vs Jun as scheduled. Meanwhile, everyone is mystified and I'm of course on high alert! Has anyone else had this happen?

[Barbteeth]

I have

Mine dropped dramatically at the start of letrazole and Ibrance but creeping up every month

Last scan in January showed stable mets and pleural effusion disappeared

Makes no sense

Barb xx

[Mimigram]

Yes, my numbers rose slowly upward. Pet scans came back clear. They ordered a pet|CT scan which showed a cyst on my ovary. When they removed it they also removed the ovary and tube which came back MBC. The Pet missed it. They said my breast cancer is very hard to see. Maybe you should ask for a MIR which picks up more.

Wiish you the best!

Mimi

[Nursewithcancer]

Hello.

I was diagnosed 2 months ago after my first month on ibrance my tumor marker went up by 20. When I discussed with my oncologist she explained that sometimes it can go up as the tumor starts to break down so that it’s not unusual for it to go up. It would only worry her if It hades significant jump but 10 or 20 points is not concerning and in fact could represent response to the treatment. Hoping she is right. I’m on my second cycle. Will rescan after 4. Best of luck that the next scan looks good.

[1998withStage4]

Tumor marker tests aren’t all that reliable as they can indicate things other than cancer. Going up 10 or 20 points is rather small - I’ve known people whose markers rise well over 100 points. Also PET scans show uptake in glucose which is how most cancers get their nutrition. But if they’ve depleted the glucose, they will mutate and consume other nutrients. So PET may not pick up your tumors. Maybe try CT if you haven’t already. Also tumors need to be the size of about a million cells to be seen on scans. So maybe I’ve offered some suggestions to ask your doctor about.

[lisafromatx]

Mine have been elevated for 3 years now with nothing ever found on ct’s, mri’s or PETs. Very frustrating! Hang in there;)))

[SoCalLady in reply to lisafromatx]

Lisa, may I ask in what range are your tumor markers?

[lisafromatx in reply to SoCalLady]

Ca 27.29 has been as low as 29 and high of 55. Ca 15.3 hovers between 22-29. Cea has been anywhere from 2-5.4. My markers tend to bounce around alot.

[SoCalLady in reply to lisafromatx]

Wish I had your markers. Mine are up in the 100's and raising every month.