Xeloda and Markers

[Jenniferp2122]

hi everyone,

my dad started Xeloda on November 5th. After his first month on it he got bloodwork done in December and his CEA went from 4.9 to 3.5. CA15-3 stayed stable at 21.

He got bloodwork again yesterday for his second month since starting the Xeloda and his CEA went from 3.5 to 4.1 (less than 3.8 is normal at his lab). I am worried this might indicate a failure of treatment. Any words of wisdom are super helpful. Thank you so much

[13plus]

I think just one month in is really too soon to tell. Sometimes it takes the meds a few months to show the direction. Has your dad had cancer long enough to know if the TM actually progress and regress with his cancer? They are not representative for everybody of what is really happening.

Your dad's levels are almost in the normal range to begin with, it is such a tiny blip you should not be worried. I'm 7 years now with mets and as a comparison to your dad my CA15-3 right now is above 3000 lol. Not that that is great at all, my liver is a worry now, but I'm still feeling well and working!

[Jenniferp2122 in reply to 13plus]

Thank you. He’s been on it for 2 months. Started the drug in November and 1 month after Xeloda his CEA went from 4.9 to 3.5 and now 2 months after Xeloda it’s at 4.1 which is in the “abnormal” at his lab.

This June will be 3 years with MBC and his markers typically do predict progression. We are just new to this drug Xeloda so I’m not sure if this is common on Xeloda specifically.

He also got a digital rectal exam that same morning before his tumor markers were drawn to assess his prostate. Not sure if that could elevate the CEA also. So many unpredictable possibilities

I’ll be thinking of you!!

[MettavivorDS]

Tumor markers can be affected by other things, like inflammation. Tumor also rise in the first few months when the cancer cells are dying off. The dead cancer cells are picker in the marker test, as well as the live ones. I'd withhold any judgement about the effectiveness of the treatment until there are scans to compare.

[utahsara]

My wife who has stage 4 Metastatic bone cancer spread from breast cancer has been on Xeloda for 6 cycles now, 2 weeks on 1 week off and her CA & 15 3 markers were at 880 and after just the first cycle they went down 500 points. they continue to drop each cycle and seen through the blood draws and now are at 190. She is now cancer free as to nay "hot spots" showing up on her last Pet scan. Her previous scan 3 months before has shown Mets in her Liver as well as her bones, which are now 100% gone as to showing up on the last Pet a few weeks ago. She also have very few side effects, other than a darkening of her hands and feet skin wise. This has been a God Send to us as to Xeloda, and of course she still has a lower Hemoglobin and red / white blood cell readings because the Xeloda is killing off good cells with bad. So we stay away from large crowded events if possible and make sure she has plenty of vitamins like B12, Calcium, Iron and stay on a high protein. and plant based diet. Praying for you and your Dad for upcoming better results

[Minou123]

Hi ..l am just starting it ..l am.worried about the side effects...how was your dad's ?Feet and hands

Also scared and depressed liver cancer stagec4

I do hope your dad's treatment works great for him ...wish l could help more