Increased tumor marker after radiotherapy

[Archiedog]

Afternoon all,

I am currently on ibrance 75mg and letrozole. I had a mastectomy in June and radiotherapy which ended 20th August. On 20/8 my tumor marker was steadily going down to 41 but has now gone up to 51. Am somewhat anxious, could the radiotherapy have caused the marker to rise? Any comments gratefully received

Helen

[Adele_Julia]

Hi Helen, I suspect the tumor markers bumped up a bit as they measure dead or alive cells. I had a similar bump when I finished targeted radiation in Aug and my Sept tumor markers went from 45 to 60. I freaked but my onc said that’s to be expected. Check with your onc and congrats on being done with radiation !

[Archiedog in reply to Adele_Julia]

Thanks so much for your reply, I thought I had read on here somewhere that the test included dead and living cells , was disappointed when saw marker go up but then should get used to disappointment it’s the nature of the beast. Did you markers reduce to pre radiation levels after a period of time ?

[Adele_Julia in reply to Archiedog]

I’ll find out this Friday which my October blood test ! Fingers crossed !!

[Archiedog in reply to Adele_Julia]

Good luck for Friday, don’t know why we put so much bearing on the markers but for me down I’d good , up is bad !! Am just hoping my body is swimming with dead cells

[hdhonda]

So many things can affect tumor markers. Some oncologist don't use them, but I haven't had the privilege of going to one. And they don't seem to be reliable for some people. Scans are the best indicator. Try not to go into panic mode until you and your oncologist figure out how reliable they are on you. Blessings, Hannah

[Contrarielle]

Yup, that is normal. I think the dying cancer cells release it. Should gradually drop in a bit.