TNBC Talk - INCREASE in CA 15-3

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INCREASE in CA 15-3

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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=11154
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Topic: INCREASE in CA 15-3

Posted By: Kk44
Subject: INCREASE in CA 15-3
Date Posted: May 07 2013 at 11:09am

Hello ladys

good news first. I finished rads at the end of feb 2013.

I had my follow up this week with my MO, I finished chemo at the beginning of december.

My blood tests show an elevation in my CA 15-3 now 40. Before I started treatment it was 31. I would like your input please, I am concerned about mets.

I have had a dull pain in my upper right corner if my abdomen, even during treatment. They did not think it was anything.

I know the numbers are not huge, but now with this elevation, which is even higher than when I was first diagnosed .

Im really starting to worry.

karen

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Diagnosis June 6/2012
Lumpectomy 6/20/2012.
IDC.1.8 cm. grade 3/3. TN
Chemo started 7/20/2012
4 A/C DD. -
4 T. DD every 2 weeks.
Then 33 Rads.
finished TX Feb 22,2013
44 yrs. 2 kids girls 10 & 13

Replies:

Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: May 07 2013 at 3:07pm

Karen,

There are lots of reasons why it may be elevated that aren't cancer related. It didn't jump that much so maybe watch it and see if it goes down? I know how these tests can bring our anxiety levels up!

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/tumormarkers/tumor-markers-specific-markers" rel="nofollow - http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/tumormarkers/tumor-markers-specific-markers

CA 15-3

CA 15-3 is mainly used to watch patients with breast cancer. Elevated blood levels are found in less than 10% of patients with early disease and in about 70% of patients with advanced disease. Levels usually drop if treatment is working, but they may go up in the first few weeks after treatment is started. (This rise is caused when dying cancer cells spill their contents into the bloodstream.)

The normal level is usually less than 30 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the lab. But levels as high as 100 U/mL can be seen in women who do not have cancer. Levels of this marker can also be higher in other cancers, like lung, colon, pancreas, and ovarian, and in some non-cancerous conditions, like benign breast conditions, ovarian disease, endometriosis, and hepatitis.

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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15