tumor markers

[mchllro]

have just switched to Gemzar (treated pre and post-op with carbo-taxol). ca125 dropped to 7.8, CEA increased to 15.2 (could not find previous level). would this indicate Gemzar not working??

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
that sounds great. If gemzar is clearing these spots, then continuing with gemzar is reasonable. Some people do have trouble with low platelets on gemzar.

The mainatenance chemo that has been looked at is;
taxol as a single agent every three weeks for one year or
avastin as a single agent evey three weeks for one year - this is experimental

best wishes

[mchllro]

Hello. I am 111c as well, metastisis to lung (still there, increased in size by 2cm after carbo/taxol). My lymph nodes were clear. "shadows" on liver cleared. I'm hoping to get to the maintenance stage of chemo(whichever one works!)

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear mchllro,

CEA can be elevated in some ovarian cancers. It can also be elevated in smokers. It would be important to know which is the best marker to follow your cancer by. Ask your doctor for your reports of all your CA 125 and CEA results. that way you can keep your own records. If your CA 125 is dropping, that is very reassuring.
best wishes

[DH63]

Hello there-
I have been down your road. I had Carbo/Taxol, 6 cycles, 9 months of Taxol as maintenance and then failed that. Went to Gemzar and stayed with that for 9 months and have recently failed that too. After 2 attempts of desensitizing me to Carbo, which failed over the weekend in the hospital, there is so much out there for us. I think it is just a matter of finding the right combo and keeping the nasty cancer at bay. What stage are you? I am lllc, diagnosed 4/06. My CA125  started at 303, went to 59 after surgery, down to 7 and stayed there for a while. It is up at 40+ right now.
Hang in there, good luck to you!!!!!!! :))) Keep positive.

[PF_PVD]

It sounds like you have an ovca dx, so I would suggest you post on the ovarian cancer forum, as there are several of us over there who are currently receiving gemzar (myself included).  You'll probably get a much better response.  I have only had two treatments because my schedule was interrupted by a couple of hospital stays and surgery.  At this point I don't even care what my CA 125 is (although they've been taking them) as my onc has warned me it will go up before it goes down and I should wait for at least three treatments.  Come on over...Paula