Tumor markers

[Puppy_love]

I’m not happy with Ibrance/Faslodex combo. I was switched from anastrazole last year to this combo and 27.29 antigen is higher than before. I started out st 33 and went up to 80 then they switched me and now it’s 105. Although scans are stable I don’t understand why tumor Marker doesn’t come down more. I’ve had 3 infections this past year and not sure this is normal. I had a gastro enteritis, UTI and cellulitis. Does this seem normal? My dose was dropped from 125 to 75. But still I’m having side effects. Any replies will help. Thanks everyone!!

[Barbteeth]

Hi there

It may be that the infections you’ve been fighting have affected your tumour markers...it’s a known fact that this can happen

If everything is stable I wouldn’t be too concerned about them....I need talk as I had a phase of actually being obsessed with markers so now I try to ignore them...in fact I wish they didn’t exist as they can be a cause of so much worry

Barb xx

[Puppy_love in reply to Barbteeth]

Thank you dear. I also have nerve damage and a lot of inflammation in my ribs from robotics into my lungs and pleura.

[Nmartinez15 in reply to Puppy_love]

You have to take tumeric root tea or in pills. My markers are low but I did have a cellulite infection in August. But I take tumeric every day.

[Puppy_love in reply to Nmartinez15]

Thanks, I also take turmeric along with zinc and mushroom defender supplements. I also ordered Manuka honey by Kiva. It’s on its way from Amazon.

[Nmartinez15 in reply to Puppy_love]

I got mushrooms supplements too after I watch the truth of cancer from Asia this week.

[Puppy_love in reply to Nmartinez15]

My accupuncturist and radiologist I work with told me it’s the best supplement to help with the immune system. The minute I stopped taking them I got a GI virus and a UTI. And it’s always on my week off of Ibrance. Go figure!

[AuntyJane in reply to Puppy_love]

Is it the turmeric or mushroom that’s the best supplement? I’m on Ibrance/Faslodex and my WBC/ANC count is super low due to past stem cell transplant. I’ve done 3 cycles so far but I’m always in neutropenia. I also have lymphedema in my right arm and got cellulitis in it twice earlier this year and in hospital for high dose antibiotics.

[Puppy_love in reply to AuntyJane]

I take both supplements. Turmeric is for inflammation and many other positive effects and mushroom is for immune system.

[kcc9993 in reply to Puppy_love]

One other note about turmeric is that there are challenges with the absorption. For example, forms that are hydro-soluble absorb better.

[SoCalLady]

I will trade you! My TM's are over 1,200 now. I agree with Barbteeth tho, your TM's have probably been slightly affected by your infections. Now, me, I don't know what the hell is going on. Just put on my second dose of Faslodex, so anxious to see my markers next Wednesday.

[Puppy_love in reply to SoCalLady]

I’m hoping they drop for you. Mine never really dropped for a whole year on this combination. My doctor tells me I run from 94 to 105 but scans are stable. Good luck Wednesday.

[Andersl]

The scans are the definite 'markers'. Tumour markers cannot be relied upon and are not helpful for some.

My scans showed a brilliant response but the markers did not correspond.

Rely on the scans xx

[Red71]

And my scans showed progression but my tumor markers stayed within normal limits of what they should be. I’m not even sure why they do them at this point if they don’t correlate with the cans. Elaine

[hopenowandtomorrow in reply to Red71]

Same with me. Tumor markers were in range for a year while I had (unbeknownst to me) Stage IV bone Mets. I asked them not to do marker tests anymore. ❤️🙏❤️

[LaliChicago]

I don’t get tested for tumor markers, at least to my knowledge. Does this happen right away upon the diagnosis, or some time later. I agree that sometimes more information is not good for mental health.

[Puppy_love in reply to LaliChicago]

Yes I get them drawn every 2 months . But they say they are not always accurate. The scans mean more.

[LaliChicago in reply to Puppy_love]

Ok, thanks.

[Titaniam_Turtle]

I had 42 treatments with Ibrance/letrozole/ Xgeva and just 1 UTI. My tumor markers are useless as they do not show any progression. I found out the hard way with a tumor pressing on my spine, surgery, reconstruction, donor bone and MBC as the result. I have had a total of 3 tumors and each one I found. So fortunately (or fortunately) I have never obsessed about my markers. Instead I get scans every 6 mths or sooner if I find something. You never know which protocol will work for which person. Go with your gut and what makes you feel best. That is the only way to stay on top of this. I have been very fortunate to have my current doctors but they are not my original doctors. I forgot, I did have fluid drained from the around the outside of my lung. I believe that is pleurisy. It was the first time and the doctor believes it was from chemo. I felt like a completely different person after it was done. Before drainage I could not walk to the next room without being out of breath.

[Puppy_love in reply to Titaniam_Turtle]

So sorry to hear about your progression. Thanks for your reply, my scans are stable right now but tumor markets are around 110 which is 27.29 antigen.