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Topic: Elevated tumor markers

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Longview, TX
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 50
  • Posted on: May 16, 2008 12:57 pm
oldcat46 wrote:

Hi to all...

I finished chemo Feb 13, radiation 3 wks ago and am getting Herceptin every wk til Dec.  Recent blood test showed a rise in tumor markers.  I don't know anything about this, but my onc said sometimes there are fluctuations and he wants to be thorough.  Today I had CT of abdomen/chest and am going for bone scan this afternoon.  Can anyone speak to this.  Is this a worry or just business as usual???

Mary
Dx 8/27/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 1/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
Posts 1 - 6 (6 total)
wishiwere
MI
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2549
May 16, 2008 02:01 pm wishiwere wrote:

No info for you, but a big gentle {{{hug}}} while you wait for results and other comments.

It does seem though, that I read they can go up for other reasons.  I'm not positive on that though. 

wishiwere
Dx 9/21/2007, ILC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
oldcat46
Longview, TX
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 50
May 18, 2008 02:33 pm oldcat46 wrote:

Thanks, wishiwere, for the hug.  I had my bone scan later on Friday and decided not to worry.  After all,  where does it get us? 

Mary
Dx 8/27/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 1/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
nash
San Diego area, CA
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1428
May 19, 2008 04:54 pm nash wrote:

TMs can rise for a variety of reasons, including imflammation and reactions to medication. Yours could be elevated b/c of something related to the radiation. Basically, TM aren't 100% accurate for every person, so your onc is doing the right thing by scanning. That's the only way to see if your increase is b/c of mets. And you're doing the right thing by putting it out of your mind until you get the scan results. Good luck, and hope everything turns out fine.

Dx June 2007, age 38, Stage IIa 2.7 cm pleomorphic ILC, ER+/PR+ HER2-, CAFx6, rads, tamox
oldcat46
Longview, TX
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 50
May 19, 2008 06:32 pm oldcat46 wrote:

Thanks, Nash, for the info.  Bone scan isn't back but today the onc nurse called and said I have 'radiation pneumonitis,' which I guess is common following rad tx.  (That would be the inflammation you mentioned.)  So it's prednisone for awhile -- I seem to remember taking it a few years ago for something and actually getting my entire house clean in one day !!!  You can bet I'll take advantage of this new development. 

Best to you...

Mary
Dx 8/27/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 1/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+
nash
San Diego area, CA
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1428
May 19, 2008 06:50 pm nash wrote:

LOL, Mary--nothing like a bit of steriods to get one moving! I'm the same way. Stress does it to me, too. The only time I dust my house is when waiting for test results.

Sounds like the radiation pneumonitis may very well be the culprit with the rising TMs. Good news that the bone scan isn't back yet--in my experience (went through 5 1/2 years of my Stage IV mom on active treatment), the radiologist will call the onc the same day as the test if s/he suspects mets.

Keep us posted! Hugs. 

Dx June 2007, age 38, Stage IIa 2.7 cm pleomorphic ILC, ER+/PR+ HER2-, CAFx6, rads, tamox
oldcat46
Longview, TX
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 50
May 20, 2008 09:29 pm, edited May 20, 2008 09:30 PM by oldcat46 oldcat46 wrote:

That makes good sense, Nash, about the radiologist calling my onc the same day as the bone scan.  Guess I'll have to get used to being a bit hyper right after tests.  Is that the way it is for most of us?  Hmmm... maybe I'll have the cleanest house on the block ????  Nah...

Hugs back to you.

Mary
Dx 8/27/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 1/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

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