Positive Signatera Test leads to Stage 4
I had a Signatera Test last week and it came back positive also with out of range CA 25-27. I had already had a clear Breast MRI a month ago. The Signatera Test shows circulating tumor cells in my blood.
This means I am now Metastatic and I am in shock. I'm only 3 years out of chemo/rads/hormone therapy with 2b and 1 positive lymph node. I am first scheduled for a CT and then a PET I assume.
I did everything. I eat clean, exercise, take many supplements. Personally,I think my chronic stress got me. I am sad and discouraged that I only made it 3 years. With 2b, I was expecting maybe a recurrence down the road.
I know there are therapies. I've read about their side effects and it makes me wonder what I am willing to put myself through depending on results. I feel like I just went through all this.
Thank you for letting me share.
Comments
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@hippmark - We're sorry to hear this… Have you had a chance to talk to your oncologist yet about the next steps? We're sending you love and positive thoughts. Let us know how you're doing. We're here for you!💖
The Mods
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Thank you. No, my oncologist is out of town for another 10 days and I won't see him until after the CT scan.
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I had a high CA 25-27 in January. I had a PET scan and it was totally clear. There was no evidence of metastasis anywhere. (I haven't had Signatera testing). There's hope.
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hippmark,
I just had my onc visit a few weeks ago. I finished my 5 years of aromatase inhibitors a year ago. The BCI test showed high risk of recurrence with no benefit to continue. My onc is going to monitor me going forward with the ctDNA test. Haven’t had any results yet. My understanding (someone correct me if I misunderstood this) is that you can have a positive test but still not have a distal metastasis. Like tnsplayer said, tumor markers can be elevated for different reasons.
Sounds like you have not had a CT or PET scan yet? Once you have imaging results then you and your onc will know more about whether you are truly Stage IV. I am sorry you are in limbo and worried.1 -
Glad your team is doing this kind of testing for you! Have you had tumor markers measured in the past for them to compare the current levels to? Wishing you all strength getting through the scans and the waiting.
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Thank you for your replies. They lift my spirits. My blood test for CA 27-29 came back at 45. In 6 months they went from 34 to 45. The Signatera Test shows at almost a 1 (which indicates not a false positive). Those 2 tests coupled look like...well...
The Signatera Test shows CTC's of my original tumor that are circulating in my blood. At this point, they may or may not have formed a tumor. That's what the CT scan (3/27) then, if needed, a PET scan will show. If not yet, they are trying.
At this point, I can only hope that it's too small to find it not there yet and I can start some type of treatment.
I will be back with my story. Your support means the world to me. Being able to share on platforms like this is such a HUGE help.
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Hippmark - Very sorry to hear about your progression. I got 3.5 years with a 3B diagnosis, and like you was really hoping for/expecting longer. I've been stage 4 now for about 2 years. There are indeed many treatment options available and some of them seem to be carrying people for years, so while it's devastating to get to this point, don't despair completely, because there are many possibilities and lots in the pipeline too. There's a good support group here for the stage 4 people, so you are not alone! Hug.
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