Hi there
Just wondered how high the markers can go …as my normal was between 30 and 50 for 5 yrs with only Arimidex and then suddenly the mets were on the move and the markers went up from 50 to 270 to 500. I am due to see the spec in Feb but just wondered at what level I should start to panic ???
I should say that I stopped chemio in Oct as the 3 lots last year didnt work so I am expecting the news to be on the bad side but on the other hand I havent felt so well for years - 7 to exact .
Any info welcome and love to you all
Bye jANE
Hi Jane, I have had rising tumour markers too. Straight after chemo last year they were in single figures, then they started to take a hike - almost doubling every time they were taken - and in December they were 250.
I have heard of women whose tumour markers were in the thousands, so I try not to panic about being in the hundreds. But it is hard not to, isn’t it?
I would also be interested in other people’s tumour marker readings.
Deirdre
I have bone mets and am on Femara (since 2006). My tumour marker levels in 2008 were:
March: 17
June: 18
Sept: 21
Dec: not tested
Not possible to tell whether this is non-significant variation or a slow increase. I’ll be very interested in my results next March!
Mrs Blue…I think those markers would certainly class as remission…it varies a little but normal markers for anyone with no cancer or no active cancer are anything up to 30-35 top end.
My markers were 90 on secondary diagnosis. Around the 30’s on Tamoxifen, low 20’s on Arimidex (was told I was in remission), late 30’s on Aromasin and my latest marker is 36 on Xeloda.
Belinda…x
I’m on herceptin and my tumour markers were around 30, then they rose to 41, then gradually dropped to 37 but at my last visit to see the onc. they had gone up to 49 and he told me if the markers are up again at my next appt. (28th Jan.) I will have to have a body scan and possibly bone scan.
Jan x
Hi
I saw my onc. today and we were discussing tumour markers. I have a spread of cancer to one rib and possibly a spread in the sternum where I originally had the secondary cancer. She looked at my markers and said they seemed normal. She then looked back at when secondary cancer was first diagnosed last June but said the markers looked normal then too. So she said my markers were not a guide to how I was doing.
I wonder if that is the same for other people? or maybe, Jane, because your markers have been a good indication in the past, they are now?
Not much help…
Ena x
Mine were 84 when they were taken two weeks ago - but at that stage I was only two weeks post-diagnosis/starting Tamoxifen - I was told the first reading was a bit pointless as there was nothing to go on previous to that - will be interested to see what they’ve come down to when I’m tested again but not sure when this will be - will be hoping for a big reduction.
Lesley x
For Lesley…Hi Lesley…my treatments always take a while to kick in…I was told on average a hormonal can take up to 3 months before it can start to have an effect. I didn’t have a big drop in my markers until 3 months into Tamoxifen and while they dropped a little during the first 3 months of Arimidex my markers didn’t dramatically decrease until 5 months of tablets. But I then had over 2 and a half years with Arimidex working well. Even with my first chemo, my current treatment, it’s taken a few cycles. I was told my bc is slow growing so maybe that’s why it’s slow to respond to treatment? Hope Tamoxifen will be a good treatment for you.
Belinda…x
Hi everyne and hi to Belinda,
Tumour marker what can I say we live our life around these things. I think they are good indicators of what is going on. Mine went up to 135 this year and yes I have liver mets but very small, but at least they have found them and I will get treatment. Back to onc on Thursday starting Xeloda and on a trial - lets see what happens. Just been out for a drink with our friends they are going on a cruise on wed wish I was going anyway not to worry I feel very lucky. Belinda, let me know what Xeloda is like cos a bit worried. Thanks.
Love Debsx
Hi Debs, I’ve found Xeloda really doable…I’ve been on the highest dose for months now and the only side effects I’ve had are dry hands and feet but I moisturise them twice a day and they are doing ok. I’ve found Xeloda easier than Arimidex…Good Luck… I hope it works really well for you.
Belinda…x.
Can I ask? Why do you know your tumour markers? Is it because you have sadly got secondaries or, as I am second guessing from this thread, because your hospital told you them after dx? Ie do they routinely do tumour markers or only if they suspect a spread? Presumably with a primary bc dx (1/9 lymph nodes) they wont do tumour markers at dx or bloods for markers at check ups?
xx O, x
Hi O, tumour markers are normally only taken from patients with secondaries…I was diagnosed stage 4 from the very beginning so had my markers taken from diagnosis.
Markers are thought to be unreliable for primary only patients.
Belinda…x
Hi. So pleased this thread has been started. When I was first dx with secondaries in june 2008 (liver, lungs and bones) I was in such a state of shock that I buried my head in the sand as it were and didn’t want to know any figures. After 6 months on Femara and bloods showing progression, albieght slight, my onc advised me to start chemo (Taxol weekly) whilst I was well. I have over the last few weeks become more inclined to ask questions at each appointment even if I run the risk of hearing something I won’t like. Twice in the last six months I had tumour markers taken and the last one was just before I began my chemo. As my liver function blood test was slightly up over the xmas period but was down again last week (I didn’t have a Taxol between Xmas and the new year) he has asked for another tumour marker test to be done today (after 6 Taxol) as he thinks they are more ‘sensitive’ than scans. I shall be asking for the results now after reading the comments on this and the other Tumour markers thread as I feel I will have more of understanding of them. Lesley
Well, I am very confused about tumour markers
when I was diagnosed as having secondaries the breast care nurse mentioned my tumour markers were very high at 183 I had the first 9 taxol and a re-scan which showed lymph glands had shrunk but liver remained the same - I asked for tumour markers to be done again and they had risen to 305 - my onc said she would not have done this test and doesn’t go by them - she uses scans (ct) but i cant help but feel this is a bad sign…jayne