hi everyone! My dad has MBC to his bone and is currently on Ibrance Letrozole Lupron and Xjeva since June. His CA-15-3 began at 75 and today are at 23.3. His CEA began at 7.5 and today are at 2.6. His previous CA-15-3 in September was 23 and his September CEA was 2.4. Given that it is 23.3 and 2.6 today, is this a cause for concern? He has been having steep declines monthly in tumor markers and this time it plateau’d and went up .2. Also keep in mind he did have a cataract surgery the day before his tumor markers were drawn. I know I probably sound crazy but someone calm me down please
- a nervous daughter!
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Jenniferp2122
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It has been said many times on this site, but you must have missed it. Small changes in cancer markers mean absolutely nothing. The normal range for CA 15-3 is up to 30. A difference of .3 (1% of 30!) could easily be an expected variation or the result of lab procedures varying very slightly, or any chance event. No lab measurement is that precise that such a small increase would have meaning.
I doubt whether it is at all helpful to your father to have you reacting constantly. Try to focus more on his comfort level rather than your own anxieties.
Now, 5 years on, it is 100+ and slowly creeping up. My markers are reliable reflections of scans. Your father is a very lucky man. His markers are very low and he only has cancer in his bones. These posts are read by many people who are much less lucky than him.
About ten months. The lowest I had was 51. They started climbing again a year ago. Very slowly. Small progression on scans only visible very recently. I am one of those people for whom the markers have proved entirely reliable so far, although my oncologist tends not to focus on them.
Sorry, I wasn't clear. It took about ten months in all on Palbociclib and letrozole -- dropping very steeply at first then less so, and stabilizing at about 50 for a long time. Then since this april, when I had to pause treatment for a month because of covid, they started creeping up, and are now ca 100. Showing very minor progression on scans but no further spread. You?
starting fourth month on Ibrance, they stopped doubling at 1100, but went up to 1180 on the last check but CEA is decreasing by about the same amount. Trying and keeping patient and positive.
If my example is anything to go by and I hope it is you have a long road ahead yet. I wouldn't worry about that 80 point difference. Those blips did happen to me too. Wishing you the very best.
Hello, to our markers are a helpful guide but they aren’t a good standard since so much of the data is reliant on the myriad things going on in the body. Your dad’s steep decline is fabulous and shows that his meds are working. The ups and downs reflect the effects of vaccines, nonrelated illnesses, blips in nutrition, etc. celebrate your dads wonderful response and enjoy his daily wins. Best wishes for a long long period of health and activity🙏
Hi Jennifer! From my experience (and that of many others on this forum) there will be ups and downs in the tumor markers. Some jumps/drops can be explained, some can't - but remember, the markers are just one tool in the toolbox. Some docs don't even test for them - mine only does every other month. Scans are the real way to tell if something is going on. I've been on Ibrance/letrozole/Xgeva since Feb 2017 with no progression, but my tumor markers have always been outside the normal range (mostly in the 40s with spikes in the 50s).
It's good to watch your dad's numbers, but please don't worry too much about every blip on the radar - you'll make yourself crazy! Right now the meds are working and he's in a great place. Enjoy each moment with him. He's a lucky man to have such a wonderful daughter.
Low Markers are a good thing you dont want them high believe me I know. Has he taken any Covid Vaccines or Boosters. For me it caused me alot of trouble so was just wondering!!
As a daughter of MBC mom I feel you 100%. Many of ladies here know how anxious and actually sick I was when she was diagnosed,after 18 months I’ve learnt a lot about MBC and kind of more relaxed:). I’m still managing all her appointments, since she doesn’t speak English ,and do very strongly advocate for her)).My mom’s tumor marker changes every time. 18 months ago when she was diagnosed with MBC it was 18 now it’s 24. It changes every time. Ups and down,but within normal range. Everything can affect the numbers,surgeries,vitamins,flu,cold,vaccines,medications and her oncologist said that she would worry if numbers triples or more. Please don’t worry ,your dad is fine🙏
Hold your horses.... slow down. Your mind is galloping away
The overall direction of the tumour markers is down. The markers can fluctuate and having cataract surgery could certainly be a highly probable cause for the tiny upwards blip.
He's doing fine.
You might want to focus on scan results which are more accurate than markers.
I hope you're feeling reassured now through the responses you've received.
I think it's harder for those around us than ourselves who are living with cancer..
Your father's TMs are worth celebrating!!! How he is feeling is a much better (hugely much better) indication of how he is doing! Many oncs don't track TMs because of the anxiety they can cause, and because how we feel, and the various scans are much better indicators of how we are doing. Your Dad's response to treatment is very promising.
I'm a long timer with MBC, 19 years this coming 3/1, and have done everything I can to learn about MBC and BC, including going to conferences and getting trained as a patient advocate. That's helped me cope. Meeting others has helped me alot, too. If the place your dad gets treatment has a program for caregivers and family membeers, it might be helpful for you to go to a few group meetings.
Jennifer, my own mother had lung cancer in 1985 and died five months after diagnosis. That was sooo much more stressful for me than my own cancer has been. Our parents are such important people in our lives................... and our poor kids, too. I hope you get the support you need. Take care of yourself or you will have little to give your Dad!
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