Aa
tumor markers
To Zouzi,B Butterfly, Sue Young, Katarina, Japdip: Six months have passed since my Lumpectomy.I have seen my Onco, every 2 months. News are, that Test 15-3 score is a "6," and my CBC test are optimal.I asked my Onco. to order a CA-27-29. But she feels 15-3 is enough. I am expecting results on a Liver enzyme Test. As you all may remember, I was diagnosed with BC Stage l, Radiation followed surgery, specifically" Brachytherapy" and now I am on Femara
I changed my life style and eating habits. I feel tired sometimes, but I keep active.I will never be able to express my gratitude to all of you. Let me know how you are doing and how do you feel about the CA-15-3 compare to CA 27-29.
God bless!! Ali.
I changed my life style and eating habits. I feel tired sometimes, but I keep active.I will never be able to express my gratitude to all of you. Let me know how you are doing and how do you feel about the CA-15-3 compare to CA 27-29.
God bless!! Ali.
Thanks a lot girls for your comments and response. I 'll never forget the value of your support!
God Bless.,
Ali.
God Bless.,
Ali.
Hi Ali,
So glad to hear from you and to know that you are doing pretty well ! :)
I often think of you also..and thank you so much for updating us.
For what concerns tumor markers,I couldn't have given you better information than what bb has already given you.As a matter of fact the information is very useful also for me.(Thanks bb)
I am on Arimidex and, as you know, both of our medication's side effects include this feeling of tiredness...but I am sure that we can both overcome this problem by exercising as you say, and also resting when we need to.
Again, thank you for updating us.
God Bless you too Ali.....
So glad to hear from you and to know that you are doing pretty well ! :)
I often think of you also..and thank you so much for updating us.
For what concerns tumor markers,I couldn't have given you better information than what bb has already given you.As a matter of fact the information is very useful also for me.(Thanks bb)
I am on Arimidex and, as you know, both of our medication's side effects include this feeling of tiredness...but I am sure that we can both overcome this problem by exercising as you say, and also resting when we need to.
Again, thank you for updating us.
God Bless you too Ali.....
Hi alidi,
Thanks for sharing your good news about how well you've gotten along following your treatment! It means a lot to us "regulars" when someone we know and care about comes back to update us.
Regarding your question about the tumor markers, they are both considered "nonspecific," meaning they can rise for many reasons besides the presence of breast cancer, and only have significance useful when correlated with other clinical findings, and when repeated tests show a pattern of steady increase.
Here is some info about each test:
CA 15-3: A tumor marker most useful in following the course of treatment in women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially advanced breast cancer. CA 15-3 levels are rarely elevated in women with early stage breast cancer.
Cancers of the ovary, lung, and prostate may also raise CA 15-3 levels. Elevated levels of CA 15-3 may be associated with noncancerous conditions, such as benign breast or ovarian disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and hepatitis. Pregnancy and lactation can also cause CA 15-3 levels to rise.
CA 27-29: A tumor marker similar to the CA 15-3 that is found in the blood of most breast cancer patients. CA 27-29 levels may be used in conjunction with other procedures (such as mammograms and measurements of other tumor marker levels) to check for recurrence in women previously treated for stage II and stage III breast cancer.
CA 27-29 levels can also be elevated by cancers of the colon, stomach, kidney, lung, ovary, pancreas, uterus, and liver. First trimester pregnancy, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, benign breast disease, kidney disease, and liver disease are noncancerous conditions that can also elevate CA 27-29 levels.
Ca 27-29 can only be of significance if values increase markedly from a previous level, or steadily increase over a period of time.Values <100 are rarely associated with malignancy.
In a post in the archives (July 22, 2008), Rowenta Santos M.D., stated:
"Because of superior sensitivity and specificity, CA 27.29 has supplanted CA 15-3 as the preferred tumor marker in breast cancer. It also lacks predictive value in the earliest stages of breast cancer and thus has no role in screening for or diagnosing the malignancy. It is advised to measure CA 27.29 level every 4 to 6 months after primary treatment. You can read more about this through this link:
(http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030915/1075.html) "
I'm sure your doctor has reasons for preferring CA 15-3. But if you still have questions about it, perhaps you should discuss it with her further.
Best wishes,
bluebuttertly
Thanks for sharing your good news about how well you've gotten along following your treatment! It means a lot to us "regulars" when someone we know and care about comes back to update us.
Regarding your question about the tumor markers, they are both considered "nonspecific," meaning they can rise for many reasons besides the presence of breast cancer, and only have significance useful when correlated with other clinical findings, and when repeated tests show a pattern of steady increase.
Here is some info about each test:
CA 15-3: A tumor marker most useful in following the course of treatment in women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially advanced breast cancer. CA 15-3 levels are rarely elevated in women with early stage breast cancer.
Cancers of the ovary, lung, and prostate may also raise CA 15-3 levels. Elevated levels of CA 15-3 may be associated with noncancerous conditions, such as benign breast or ovarian disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and hepatitis. Pregnancy and lactation can also cause CA 15-3 levels to rise.
CA 27-29: A tumor marker similar to the CA 15-3 that is found in the blood of most breast cancer patients. CA 27-29 levels may be used in conjunction with other procedures (such as mammograms and measurements of other tumor marker levels) to check for recurrence in women previously treated for stage II and stage III breast cancer.
CA 27-29 levels can also be elevated by cancers of the colon, stomach, kidney, lung, ovary, pancreas, uterus, and liver. First trimester pregnancy, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, benign breast disease, kidney disease, and liver disease are noncancerous conditions that can also elevate CA 27-29 levels.
Ca 27-29 can only be of significance if values increase markedly from a previous level, or steadily increase over a period of time.Values <100 are rarely associated with malignancy.
In a post in the archives (July 22, 2008), Rowenta Santos M.D., stated:
"Because of superior sensitivity and specificity, CA 27.29 has supplanted CA 15-3 as the preferred tumor marker in breast cancer. It also lacks predictive value in the earliest stages of breast cancer and thus has no role in screening for or diagnosing the malignancy. It is advised to measure CA 27.29 level every 4 to 6 months after primary treatment. You can read more about this through this link:
(http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030915/1075.html) "
I'm sure your doctor has reasons for preferring CA 15-3. But if you still have questions about it, perhaps you should discuss it with her further.
Best wishes,
bluebuttertly
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Community
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
From mammograms to personal hygiene, learn the truth about these deadly breast cancer rumors.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
