CA 27 29

blue56 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma ER+PR+ Her2Neu- no nodes in 2005. I have been taking Ca 27 29 blood tests for the last year, every three months and lately the results have been scary!
Normal scale is 0-38. I have scored 27, 34,30, 35, and last month- 39!!
which is slightly elevated. Does anyone have an opinion about these scores? My onc says they are within "stable" area.
Sad

I'm still scared.

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: CA 27 29

Hi,

My onco did the CA 27-29 for the 1st 5 years and the last time also did the CEA. He no longer is ordering them. Mine stayed between 5.0 and 15.1. I know ladies who stay in the upper normal range. I know it's scary and I'm sure I would be too, but what mine told me was he was watching to see a pattern. Some oncos don't even run them because they aren't always accurate. With some ladies they are a good indicator that something is wrong. With others, theirs are normal even though they are Stage IV. I'm surprised you're still being seen every 3 months with being Stage I and he's running the tumor markers every time. If they continually go up, then I'm sure he'll do a bone scan, PET Scan or others tests. For right now, try not to worry. The chances of yours coming back being Stage I is very low. Did you have chemo or no treatment?
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

blue56 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Nancy,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My onc did not recommend chemo, but I chose to do it anyway for the small advantage it might give me.
I am sure there are lots of women out there who would trade me my lower scores, but my onc gave me such encouraging words in January "I don't think the cancer will reoccur in you", yet suddenly I am not in the normal range any more and with two with consecutive rises. He told me in my last visit that the blood tests were fine. I only found out of the increasing scores because a friend said I should know my CA 27 29 scores, so I got copies from the clinic. Should I go back and talk to him?

blue56 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Nancy,

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. My onc did not recommend chemo, but I chose to do it anyway for the small advantage it might give me.
I am sure there are lots of women out there who would trade me my lower scores, but my onc gave me such encouraging words in January "I don't think the cancer will reoccur in you", yet suddenly I am not in the normal range any more and with two with consecutive rises. He told me in my last visit that the blood tests were fine. I only found out of the increasing scores because a friend said I should know my CA 27 29 scores, so I got copies from the clinic. Should I go back and talk to him?

Muttsmom · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: CA 27 29

I personally think you did the right thing by taking chemo and give yourself every possible chance to keep the beast away. A good friend of mine was Stage I and no node involvement and she opted for chemo too. It's been 9 years and she's still doing great !!!

My guess is your onco didn't tell you your results because he knew you'd worry. I wouldn't know mine until my next visit or unless there was a problem if I didn't hang around the lab to get the print out when they were done.... Smile

As far as going back in and talking to your onco, that's your decision. If I put myself in your shoes, I probably would for peace of mind. If he was concerned, he'd be doing tests though. You can wait and talk to him at your next visit and that way you see what your next results are to compare them, or you can go talk to him now. Again, what ever makes you feel more at east. I know one time mine went from 8.9 to 15 and I about feel apart. Even though they were both in the normal range, to me they jumped. It really does get easier the longer you're out . I'm actually surprised he's still seeing you every 3 months with you being Stage I. I would think it would be every 6 months, but all onco's are different. I should be once a year, but I opted to keep going every 6 months...... That piece of mind thing Smile

I have no doubt if mine was 39, my onco wouldn't do anything but just check it again at my next appt. and see what it is then, and that's with me being Stage III.

Let me know what you decide and what you find out. TRY not to worry, which is know is easier said then done. If you have faith in your onco, then know he's looking out for what's best for you, but if the results are causing you added stress, then I'd go talk to him.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

CAROL459 · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: CA 27 29

hi
new to this site. i got breast cancer in 1993 been doing tumor markers every 3 months since then yes it is scary.....it has returned 4 times.the cancer but god love the dr for doing the test.the numbers go up and the cancer is found with pet ct mri etc and chemo or radiation started and I am here to help you
My last chemo was in feb this yr now markers in the 60's and chemo again started today XELODA...markers are keepin me alive and battling..no scare til they are in the 40 or so it seems
hang in there
we will help
carol

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