Tumor markers

[marianne88]

Hi ladies. Need someone to calm down. I just got my 15-3 tumor markers and they went from 25 to 28 this month. My doctor doesn’t seem to be concerned but I’m freaking out. Has this happened to anyone. Thanks so much. Marianne

[hdhonda]

Marianne, tumor markers don't work on me. They stay in the normal range no matter what. Moving three points is probably not a concern. A cold, infection, etc. can cause a move. I don't think you need to push the panic button yet. This is from the person who keeps her finger on the panic button. Here's to it moving back down,🥂. Blessings, Hannah

[illini9 in reply to hdhonda]

Great advice Hannah!! I watch numbers as they have worked for me but a couple points doesn't cause us much concern. The best advice I got about tumor markers was to think of them like the stock market - watch for the pattern and use that information. Mine have hopped all over the place - I call them wobbles - and then the next month they go another direction. though I've never been in the normal range yet.

[Selmac]

Same here, tumor markers don't work on me.

[Hidden]

Three is a small amount and is not statistically significant. I appreciate your concern but listen to your doctor please. Exhale, meditate and be gentle to yourself.

[KMBL_]

Hi, Marianne88. When I started this journey in May of 2019, my 15-3 was 220. With Ibrance and Letrozole, they’ve dropped slowly to 146. I don’t panic over them because I feel okay. I had a CT scan in October, and they saw no evidence of disease, so the meds are definitely helping.

[Red1246]

My oncologist told me what hdhonda said: the markers can be elevated due to inflammation or infection and not necessarily the presence of cancer. They’re only up slightly so I don’t think you need to be worried. What have you been told is the normal range?

[marianne88 in reply to Red1246]

Hi. I was told 25 is normal. I did have a tooth that ended up having to be root canal 2 days after I had my tumor markers checked. Maybe that is why who knows. Thanks for responding 😀

[Red1246 in reply to marianne88]

Yes, I think the root canal could well have been the reason for the slight rise.

My new oncologist doesn’t even share these markers with me unless I specifically ask since she agrees they are not that accurate and doesn’t want me worrying for nothing.

I’ve decided there’s enough to think about with MBC so I’m not asking about these markers. My medical team is good and I trust if there’s a valid reason to do further diagnostics (i.e. due to aggressively rising markers) they’ll let me know.

Take care abd have a great day!

Red

[NShaft]

That has happened to me. Mine rose steadily a few points each month but nothing new showed up on a PET scan. Then it went down a few points for a couple of months then back up again. My onc said he looks for trends. It appears mine has settled in this range for the time being. It's possible there could be discrepancies in time of day tested or who reads the results, etc. I wouldn't worry at this point.

[Hidden]

I am MBC for a bit over two years now. I have no idea what my tumors markers are. I was told by my onco and another onco that tumor markers mean nothing and they can be high or low and it does not reflect anything. So since I seen (when I was first going through the treatment) how many women were getting upset about their tumor markers, I decided I did not need to know since they don't ever go by tumor markers. I can honestly say I have no idea what mine are or were and its been over two years for me.

[Juneday]

I agree with Red1246. My tumor markers remained between 10.0 -13.0. from labs each month. I started this journey June 2017. My oncologist say I'm stable/no progression. I did ask whether or not my tumor markers would ever get to zero and he said no. As long as there is no evidence of active disease I'm satisfied. However, I wouldn't worry about a few points.

[mariootsi]

My onc never mentions my markers and I don't ask. As long as your onc isn't concerned, I would try not to worry....easier said than done, I know! This advice comes from a very anxious person! Lol