Tumour marker

[Gramat]

I have been in Ibrance, Letrozole and six monthly Denusomab shots for 3 years and 9 months with NEADs from the first Pet scan. C15.3 and CEA have fluctuated within the normal range since. PET scan in Sep 23 also showed NEADs. Recent bloods in Thursday showed c15.3 rise to above the normal range to 34.8; CEA remained normal. I started antibiotics the day before the bloods and have been suffering with sinusitis. Has anyone experienced rise in tumour markers when on antibiotics and viral/bacterial infection?

[Beryl71]

Well your c15-3 seems very low, mine has just dropped from 197 to 143 after starting a second line treatment! Also when I've been on antibiotics I've been taken off ibrance due to the conflict and the antibiotics not being able to work . So I guess there could be a link. But overall your results all sound amazing!

[Gramat in reply to Beryl71]

Not amazing for me as it is the first time the CA15.3 has gone over the normal parameter. CEA is normal. My question is whether others in group have had their markers rise when they have been ill with a cold, sinusitis, antibiotic etc?

[Beryl71 in reply to Gramat]

My reply was designed to be encouraging. We are usually kind to one another on this site!

[Gramat]

I think you have misunderstood my reply. Not for one moment did I mean to be unkind. When I meant ‘not amazing for me’ I did not mean it in an unkind way, I am sorry if it came across as that. In the 3 years nine months I have not had one blood work showing CA15.3 over the normal limits; I know it is not excessively high but for me it is not the norm. All I can do once again is apologise.

[MettavivorDS]

It’s my understanding that that infections can cause a temporary change in the tumor marker numbers. Since tumor markers can fluctuate up and down and be influenced by other factors besides cancer, most doctors do not rely on them exclusively in managing cancer treatment. Scan results and how a patient feels are the biggest indicators of cancer. The tumor marker data can be helpful in context with other factors, but not by itself.

[Gramat in reply to MettavivorDS]

Many thanks for your reply.

[Flowerfriend]

Several factors, including infection, can cause tumor markers to rise. What will be important is to note whether a new upward trend continues. Hopefully, the CA 15-3 Antigen test will continue to be low for you

[Gramat in reply to Flowerfriend]

Many thanks. Next bloods in the 22nd Dec. Praying all will be back to normal.