Low Ca15/3 and metastatic breast cancer

[Lulu4545]

Hi to all,

Thanks for all your support.

Was just wondering about my ca15/3 level.

It's always been of 15 which is a normal rate.

Therefore it cannot be used to monitor progression.

But, how is it it's so low when I have 9 bone mets and also my breast tumor. A quite big tumor burden should give much higher ca15/3.

My onc says it's either that the tumor burdens low, which is not my case or that the tumor burden is so big that it doesn't affect ca15/3 anymore, which is kind of scary.

Does anyone have more information about this?

Thanks to all and take care

Lucie xxx

[Bestbird]

For some patients with MBC, tumor markers are reliable and for others they are not. I had lung mets and malignant pleural effusion and my tumor markers were completely normal. Patients with unreliable tumor markers should not have them tracked. Instead, they need to rely on symptoms, physical exams, other blood work, and periodic scans.

[queeneee]

Hello, I asked my oncologist in the UK about tumour markers - she said the UK does not measure them at all, as they consider them and unreliable measure. I have no idea what my tumour markers are... one less thing to worry about!

[Blakeysangel in reply to queeneee]

Hi, I’m in the uk and they measure my 15-3 every month and it’s been a good indication of what’s going on, I’m based at the QE Birmingham 😀

[Beryl71 in reply to Blakeysangel]

I'm the same,.they use the tumour markers and how I feel . X

[queeneee in reply to queeneee]

Ha.. well obviously scotland is different.. or my oncologist lied!

[Blakeysangel in reply to queeneee]

I’m sure they pick and choose what they do!! 😂

[Dragonfly2]

Well it seems that the tumor markers are a source of hope or worry either way. I’m so sorry that you are struggling with this and based on other responses, please try not to let this data overwhelm you. Since you’ve always been low, then it seems it’s not a significant indicator now. Focus on your health in other ways: diet, exercise, sleep, social engagement...

I just asked my onc what does “normal” range actually mean since I had achieved below normal on the CEA and almost normal on the CA 15-3.

It’s not what I thought it was... actually just a number that shows the activity of the tumor and how much it’s shedding into bloodstream...so even a larger tumor may not be shedding as is the norm for it...that’s good regardless..but if the markers go up, it’s a signal to get the onc involved in exploring reasons and therapies.

Wishing you the best...it’s a journey with hills and valleys.😇