hi everyone- these freaking tumor markers drive me INSANE!
My dad is currently on Ibrance, letrozole, lupron and xjeva and his past 2 PET scans showed NED. (Last pet was 1/16).
his tumor markers in January were 19 and in February they were not run unfortunately. His March tumor markers came back as 25 (CA-15-3) and my mind just goes to such awful places yet he feels fine! Sometimes I just need someone to talk some sense into me.
From reading the many wise words of advice found on this forum, the markers by themselves are not always indicative of the situation without a CT scan. Some inflammation or an infection can cause markers to rise. I am not saying there isn’t an issue with your father’s numbers, just that they could have risen because of other factors. Good luck 🌸
hi Jen, during my fist year with MBC back when I lived in Nz, I had those markers done monthly and they were never that low… but I didn’t worry because I didn’t know what that meant… still don’t. But it may help you feel better to know that my numbers were in the 80… then 90s and even up into 125… and my onc didn’t seem to freak… then I moved to Boston and never looked at those markers again because the new oncologists looked at other markers… do you know what the normal range is? I never did know … but it might be that you are in a normal range… or normal for you range. Try not to worry… sounds like your dad is doing great… and so wonderful to be NEAD…let’s hope this continues for a long time. I hope that was helpful.
Many doctors pay no attention to the markers as they can be affected by things that are not cancer. If you look at the ranges, I don’t think 25 is anything to get worked up about. If my memory serves me. This can be a long and bumpy road and it won’t do your health any good to worry so much about something you cannot control. Take care of yourself first. Only then can you help someone else effectively. Peace.
My markers were 490 when I first found out. My story is long. I won’t post it for you. That was in 2018. They’ve barely dropped below 100 ever. I have it in my stomach. That’s been since 2018. It’s been in all bone and bone marrow since 2013. 25 is still in the normal range. Mine go up and down 20 points all the time. I just wanted to let you know. I do count on tumor markers because 99% of imaging does not work for me.
Anything 35 and under is considered normal. My CA15-3 bounces around in the 25-37 range and onc isn't concerned. He said we would be concerned with large, sudden spikes. Hope all goes well with your dad.
I had read somewhere once upon a time that below 30 is normal for TM's .... anyone else read that?
my doctor has not taken mine for 3 months. The last time they were at 79 and now I don’t go back until May? I just don’t understand this?
Individual numbers are not as important as a trend in the numbers,
I have been NED for 4+ years, diagnosed almost 6 years ago, de nova. My CA-15 has bounced around a few times. My onc said anything below 30 is within the good range and not to freak out. Prayers for your dad.
Tumor markers negative, but Mets found
Tumor markers 
Tumor Markers Trodelvy 
Tumor markers 
