Latest Signatera test went from negative to 1.02

I'm sorry, I can't remember if you had chemo or not and when it ended.

In my case, even though the surgeons said they "got it all", I still had chemotherapy. I still had a "hot spot" in the area of the surgery which showed up on scans and in my CEA test about 6 months after I stopped chemo. Demoralizing, to say the least! It took about a year later for it to be knocked out by the chemo - apparently there are residual benefits to chemo as well as the debits. My next scan is late this month.

At one time, I had found a guide to understanding Signatera test results, but now can't find it. If I remember correctly (and I may not) that's a very low number.

There is reason to be concerned, but probably not to be fearful. Lag effect of the chemo leaving residual stuff still around can result in a positive result, and lab tests all have some margin for error/false positives and false negatives.

All the best.

Thanks rj.
I had 12 rounds of chemo after the tumor removal, and that ended August 23.
I have a telephone conference with a Signatera genetic counselor Wednesday evening, so I’m sure I’ll get more information then.
My concern is that my previous tests have been negative, so for this positive now must mean new tumor cancer cells have developed. I know it’s not good - just want to know how bad.

Do you think I’ll need the port put back in?🤨

If the oncologist thinks more chemo is necessary, then another port install would be indicated.

The oncologist may want to wait until the next scheduled scan and next Signatera test - that's what they did with mine when my CEA test bumped up.

All the best.

Thanks! And all the best to you also😘

Yes I have lots of Signatera info. After my resection my signatera test went from zeros to .03, .06, 1.1, 4.2. My cancer spots did not show up until this time with a 1/4 inch spot on my lung and a 1/2 spot on my liver. I did cryoablation to remove the spots. This procedure is a lot less invasive than radiation or surgery. My signatera went to 15 and we found a couple more spots that were also cryoablated. After this they put me back on chemo and my signatera is back to zero. After 8 treatments, they want me to continue 8 more to hopefully knock out any residual cancer cells that may have been left behind. The unknown is just scary with cancer. Knowing that cancer is coming back with the signatera tests is quite stressful. However, the signatera tests have been very helpful finding cancer spots very early to eliminate and keep from spreading elsewhere. Feel free to message me if you would like more detail or have more questions. It sounds like our cancers are similar but I have a year or so more experience dealing with this stuff. Stay positive! Reid

Thanks Reid! Stressful and disappointing along with a side helping of fear.
How long after your last treatment before the Signatera results started to register in the positive? I was hoping for an easy, breezy cancer-free block of time. Way more than the 4-6 months I got. The thought of having that port put back in scares the 🤬 out of me.
I’ve never heard of cryoablation, so thank you for that. I’m meeting with my oncology team Monday after they get the results of my 6 month scan Friday.
Did you go back in FOLFOX? Were you able to continue working? (I’ve only been back to work since December 1, after 11 months on medical leave.)
Insert anguished cry here.
Carol

@cjay, did you have a chance to discuss these results with your oncology team? What did they say? How are you doing?

Thanks Colleen, it’s been a week that I’ve been living with it, and I’m not as emotional wrecked as I originally was. I had my scan on Friday - showed no masses or signs of metastatic disease, but I know from what Reid told me things might be too minuscule to show up until the next scan. I have an appointment with my oncology team tomorrow after work, and a phone meeting Wednesday with my surgeon at MUSC. I should know more after those.
I did have a phone conference with a genetic counselor at Signatera, and she was helpful with understanding the numbers a bit more and some good general knowledge. Right now I’m hoping the circulating tumor dna is residual, rather than a new occurrence. And hoping for some new drug besides the FOLFOX if I do need chemo.
🙏🤞
I will update after I get some news.

After chemo, radiation and surgery, I think I had 6 months of Signatera tests that were zero showing no signs of cancer. Then the signatera tests became positive .03, .06, 1.1, 4.2 and up. Scans did not detect any cancer until the 4.2 reading. By the time we did the cryoablation, the Signatera result went to a 15. After the cryoablation I was put back on FOLFOX for 6 rounds. By the 3rd round my Signatera was back to zero. After these 6 rounds they dropped the chemo that causes neuropathy but continued with the other 2 chemo chemicals for another 12 rounds. I have done 4 of these with 8 more to go. The hope is that any residual cells that may try to pop up over a longer term will be killed off with these additional treatments and not become a problem and gone forever. I am on a 2 week Chemo schedule. I don't feel too good after treatments for 4 to 5 days and then start feeling better over that second week. Workwise I do what I can to help out but I am not as directly involved in day to day operations anymore. I have quite a bit of nausea and fatigue for the first week after chemo treatments. Constantly taking the nausea medication helps quite a bit. Hang in there and keep reaching out to people for all the info you can get.