Tumor Marker (CEA)

[atoth17]

Hello,

My CEA jumped from 86.9 in January to 359 now. Is this the tumor marker that isn’t necessarily specific to breast cancer and can have all sorts of things cause it to be elevated?

For example, I have some neuropathy and swelling in my legs and I know TMs can be affected by inflammation.

Doxil Lipisomal is my chemo and while I have a tiny bit of progression on my scans, my Oncologist is keeping me on for two more months to see if it’s a true progression.

Please help talk be off this ledge. I’m 3 1/2 years into my MBC diagnosis and time is what I’m after. Aren’t we all.

Allison

[Elle713]

How are you CA15 markers? As you know tumor markers alone are unreliable. If you’re feeling good - try not to think beyond that.

[atoth17 in reply to Elle713]

The other TM rose as well but not as dramatically. It’s my first TM since January so she said yesterday, it could’ve been higher and now it’s coming down. I actually feel pretty good just some pain in my sacrum area where we know there are fractures.

[Colacancer]

Have you had scans during this time. Honestly I'd want a different drug. That's quiet a leap. How are they treating it. You. Im on versenio. Concerned the same thing is happening cause we lowered my dose so I could have better quality of life. But if it's progressing that doesn't give me much life. Bless you friend I'm so sorry we're all going through this. What a club to be a part ofBlessings Nichola

[atoth17 in reply to Colacancer]

Yes, scans show some progression but not that much. The Doxil seems to be stabilizing the spread but we will see again with September scans. I’m pushing for pill form again, specifically Verzenio. I am also sorry we all have to go through this, I try to stay positive but some days it’s so hard. I’m glad I can reach out to ladies like you, it’s so helpful to know we’re not alone.

[Beryl71]

It seems quite a substantial increase. It has been my CA153 that has changed. Started at 435 gradually decreased , then increased. But gradually. When it got to nearly 200 they changed letrozole to fulvestrant which has taken it down again. You need to discuss with your oncologist and see what the scans show. Also they want to know how you feel. I've been told many consultants don't rely on tumour markers alone. Scans are better evidence. Take care

Carolyn

[atoth17 in reply to Beryl71]

Scans show just a very small amount of progression (less than a 1/10 of cm), we will stay with Doxil and scan again in September. I’ve calmed down since the other night, I was quite upset thinking this is it. Oh my goodness, I can really let my mind get the best of me.

[Beryl71 in reply to atoth17]

We all do that ! Take care. X

[13plus]

I think your oncologists approach is fair. How are you feeling? Scans and whether or not you have new physical symptoms are a better way to judge how things are going and yes, getting as much time as possible on each drug. How many other protocols have you been on before Doxil? Do you know what your next treatment options will be if you do need to change? That’s what I usually try to focus on in these situations, being proactive about mentally preparing for other options vs. worrying about how long or little time I might have on my current job. Not always easy but it gives us a moving forward goal. And many times those small new lesions just end up staying stable or some might even disappear again, so try to remain positive xx

[atoth17]

Thank you for your kind words. I feel pretty good but have pain in my right leg. I have known fractures in my sacrum and pelvic area, if it wasn’t for those, I would have zero pain. I was hoping the jump in TM could be from inflammation. My DR said yesterday at treatment that it could be that the TMs could’ve been higher since we haven’t measured them since Jan. and now they are coming down. We talked about all the anxiety they cause so maybe we will just go by scans only. Doxil is my 5th line of treatment, not sure what would be next but I’m pushing for Verzinio so I can just be on pills for a bit. Allison

[Hazelgreen]

My understanding is, like yours, that CEA is non-specific to cancer. If you prefer pills, why not try ribociclib. Research studies are positive about its effectiveness...

[SwedishSissi]

I asked for CEA markers, after reading about them here, but my oncologist did not want to use them, as she said it is not breast cancer specific. I only do CA15-3.

[Kerryd22 in reply to SwedishSissi]

My ca15.3 came back as 19. 35 and under is normal so getting a tumour marker test would be of no use to me. And my oncologist thinks it’s not reliable although the ovarian cancer marker, like the prostate cancer marker, she thinks is reliable. I satisfied my curiosity but all it confirms was that my oncologist was right!

[atoth17 in reply to SwedishSissi]

Ahhh, that is what I thought I heard. Thank you for the confirmation.

[Kerryd22]

Tumour markers aren’t really a reliable indicator for a change of medication. I posted something on the subject in a reply a couple of days ago. The writer explains the need to give medication time to get to work and what rising tumour markers can indicate.

The gold standard is scans. I had a scan in March 2023 that showed progress into a new mesenteric node but the radiologist wanted a follow up scan within 12 weeks. I was nervously anticipating a drug change but the follow up scan showed the node was half the size and the following two six month scans showed continued regression until this last June when it was no longer visible. Changing drugs at the first sign of progression or rising tumour markers might mean drugs that are still effective could be ditched for a new unknown drug. Unknown to us, that is. And a new drug brings new challenges.

According to a YouTube video by an oncologist progression is thirty percent increase in mets or movement into a new organ. I am aware that many doctors and their patients prefer to change much sooner than that and that is a decision for each patient. Cancer does mutate unfortunately but a small progression shouldn’t be mistaken for mutation, from my own experience. As my next treatment will be chemotherapy I’m happy to stay as long as I can on an AI.

All the best

Kerry