Markers

[caw517]

Just wondering if anyone else does not have their markers checked. My onc did it for 13 years but then when more cancer came back, my markers had not changed despite the cancer progressing so he said it was pointless to check the markers since they hadn’t indicated the new cancer. Now 10 years later he’s still not checking them. I do have PET scans every 3-4 months since the cancer metasticized 3 years ago . But no markers

[klhowe]

My Oncologist at Kaiser, big HMO in California, never checked markers, because they are not reliable. I have regular CT scans to monitor the liver and bone mets. There was actually, growth in the liver mets for 1st two scans when I started Ibrance, Femara and Xgeva. Now all are shrinking and bones are healing.

What meds are you on?

[caw517 in reply to klhowe]

I have PET scans every 4 months. I am just starting my 37 cycle of Ibrance and Aromasin.. So far so good …

[hdhonda]

Tumor markers have never been reliable on me. Blessings, Hannah

[NPmary]

Do you have evidence of disease/progression of cancer now? You are 10 years with MBC that's great!

[Benoahmom in reply to NPmary]

Not sure if I read it right but it looks like she has only had MBC for 3 years. Hoping it is 10....we are all looking for those long-timers 😌

[caw517 in reply to Benoahmom]

You read it correctly . I have only had MBC for 3 years. I was first diagnosed in96 -- no nodes but multiple tumors... chemo and mastectomy.. in 09 it came back .. radiation and armidex for 5 years .. then to my and my oncs sadness MBC in 16. In my bones multiple locations.. ibrance and aromasin for 37 rounds … and counting... so bottom line-- MBC for 3 years.....

[caw517 in reply to NPmary]

Just to clarify-- I have only been 3 years MBC-- in multiple bones.... Ten years ago it was a recurrence .. but no growth outside of breast...

[hope4mbc]

My oncologist never ordered tumor markers because she considers them to be unreliable. And then my orthopedic oncologist asked what my tumor markers were. My oncologist ordered the tests, and sure enough she was right. There was no evidence of cancer, and clearly I have cancer. As far as I am concerned, my oncologist is right, it is not worth the agony of having the tumor markers tested and then worrying when they go up and down. It just adds additional stress to the patient. As far as my oncologist is concerned what really matters is the results of CT scans and Nuclear Medicine Bone Scans. Please try not to worry about them.

[caw517 in reply to hope4mbc]

Glad to hear another onc doesn't do the markers . Gives me more confidence !

[mariootsi]

My onc orders markers every month. But scans are more important to her.

[Zebra2018]

Hey, it was the same for me for 7 years, everything was hunky dory! Then I had a severe neck pain that turns out to be met bone cancer.

How often you do ct scan? Thanks god my fractured bone is heeling and I have less pain but always afraid of this nasty disease.

[caw517 in reply to Zebra2018]

I have PET scans every 4 months. So far no progression but "hot spots" have not really shrunk... Hoping that can happen but at least no growth.....

[Zebra2018 in reply to caw517]

Good news, I had my first pet scan on October 29. On my last visit last week I asked him about next one, and he seemed like don’t want to repeat it again and on the other hand he doesn’t want me to do mammogram either. So I don’t know what his is thinking? I think on my next visit I will ask him about my other options!

[Barbteeth]

This is so interesting My oncologist always does markers and I’m becoming obsessed with them now especially when they increase...I wish she didn’t do them as from what you ladies say on here..they’re not reliable for some of us

Barb XX

[blms]

No marker checking at Lombardi Georgetown either. too much false alarm, or otherwise.

[Selmac]

My tumor markers were 10 when I found out I was stage 4 with cancer in ribs, spine, shoulder and hip bones. They don't work for me. We can only go by my pain and scans.

[caw517]

Thanks for all the responses.It felt great to hear from so many of you .