I’ve had metastatic disease for four years after a single tumor in sternum. I’ve been NED since then on Ibrance and Letrozole.
On my most recent labs, both CA 15-3 and CEA are elevated 50% above normal. I’ll have a PET scan Tuesday but can anyone weigh in on - are these numbers high or not? I’ve read elsewhere in these threads of CA15-3 in the hundreds, so maybe 45 is no big deal?
Hi There, a 50% jump on tumor markers is always a some concern, are there any other blood tests that jump as well? Like A. Phosphate? At the end the Pet Scan is what will rule. But keep a close eye on all the metrics of the books test not just tumor markers. That is what my onc says….
same here, 45 to 90. I will find out results on December 1! Good luck to you 🌸
hi there, marker tests making big jumps are always scary. My markers started going up two years ago, but my PET scans ( every 3 months), MRI results and CT results kept coming up clean. I finally had an endoscopy and colonoscopy (routine care) and low and behold, there was the cancer! Before that I only had Metz in my bones. I have lobular, which is hard to find on scans. I think it’s all a combination, of markers, scans and how you are feeling that gives the best clues of progression. Everyone is different, some people have high markers with no progression, others have low or no markers with a lot of progression, and others like me, have markers that pretty accurately follow progression. Markers are only a piece of a hard puzzle to see. I hope your markers go back down and settle down. Take care and try not to worry too much about them.
Mine was 120 last time, lowest it got was 70 but my oncologist doesn't seem concerned as the scans are stable and I feel well. It was over 400 to begin with. Your numbers sound very low. If you feel well and scans are fine try not to worry! Xx
Things besides cancer progression can impact markers. Having a cold or flu. Alot of oncs don't test them at all because of that and the anxiety they can cause. And alot of oncs don't even order scans based on just a one time rise in markers. I'm a long timer with MBC (over 18 years, bone mets to begin with) and I don't pay attention to TMs anymore. There was a major cancer center in FL that reported numerous cures for women diagnosed with only one bone met. I hope the PET will show anything that needs to be known and that it will be clear. You have done so well so far that you have alot to be hopeful about.
wow! 18 years and still going strong! That’s just awesome! Thank you for your informative message, and I do have a cold so that’s really good to know, that perhaps that is the culprit. I’ll go with that until I know otherwise. Do you have anymore info on the Florida clinic?
Rising tumour markers 
markers
Tumor Markers (how reliable)
No Blood Markers…
