I am wondering about the normal fluxuation in tumor marker levels. I have an appt. with my onc on Tuesday and I will find out my level. Last time it was 14. He commented that that was a low number. I an nervous about this because I know that it may change and NOT be an indication of new cancer. Any feedback will be welcomed!
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Member_of_t… Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 4417 |
May 17, 2008 10:35 am
Member_of_the_Club wrote:
I really urge you not to track the tumor marker numbers. It is so easy to fixate on each and every fluctuation as some kind of sign. This test is very inexact and the numbers can fluctuate over nothing. My current onc doesn't do the test for that reason. My original onc did and once my markers were 70 -- and then they went back down to normal. Dx 9/30/2004, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2102 |
May 17, 2008 02:06 pm
rubytuesday wrote:
My tumor markers (CA27.29) have been anywhere between 21 and 40-something....I think it was 44 or 47 for my highest. Mine seem to flare up during allergy season so I absolutely refuse to have them done in the spring as that's when I've had higher reading which caused my oncologist to want an endless barage of tests......... I agree with MOTC's oncologist. I wish mine prescribed to that theory but on the flip side, they do give you (perhaps falsely) a sense of security when they are in the normal range. I guess we take comfort in the strangest things. Best wishes |
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drgnfly Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 |
May 24, 2008 09:33 am
drgnfly wrote:
I had my appt. with my onc on Tuesday and my tumor marker was 12. He told me that many doc's don't do this test because it misses a lot of recurrances. He said that a high elevation (over 100) would be a reason to think that there was something going on. Apparently many doctors feel that knowing this 6-12 months before any other signs show up doesn't really change the final outcome or inprove survival rates. My doc says that the sooner you know the more aggresively you can treat. Just wanted to put some closure on my question. Thanks, Kathy |
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CelticGwen Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 21 |
May 25, 2008 12:10 am
CelticGwen wrote:
I tend to fixate on this number. I know there are other things that can make it go up. It's just that 2 years ago, I had two tests 2 mos apart that were high. My onc was worried, and sent me for a PET scan. It picked up a recurrence, a 1in tumor in the muscle tissue on the side of my chest. I do check my lab results myself every visit, and ask lots of question. CA 27.29 is just one of many tools my onc uses, not the only one. |
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