Latest Signatera test went from negative to 1.02

No signs of metastatic disease is great news. Hopefully it is confined in the colon and has not broken out into the lymph node system. I had 1 lymph node that tested positive for colon cancer and that was all it took, in my case, to start small spots on the lung and liver. I am grateful with all the testing that we were able to catch this early before becoming a bigger problem.

I had 26 lymph nodes removed- 16 were cancerous.
So I’m not positive it’s not a case of the scan not registering anything because it’s too minuscule. (I remember that happened to you)
My appointment was changed to tomorrow afternoon. Staying positive

My BIL sent me this last night.
I’ve only had time to skim it - you may find it helpful.
https://www.takedaoncology.com/news/news-releases/Takeda-Receives-US-FDA-Approval-of-FRUZAQLA-fruquintinib-for-Previously-Treated-Metastatic-Colorectal-Cancer/

Good luck tomorrow. When my Signatera test showed up positive the second time with a very small number, I was hoping it was just a false reading. Unfortunately my Oncologist told me they have never had a false result with Signatera tests. And with the low numbers I was hoping it would take awhile to develop before I had to remove it. However, the tests elevated quickly, within 2-3 months, where we could see the spots on a scan and then have them removed. This sucked but after all said and done, I'm fortunate to find these early. It's much easier to remove a 1/4 inch spot than a 3 inch tumor. So, my next question for the Doctors is if the Signatera test come back positive in the future with a very low reading, should we do a few chemo rounds to knock it out before it can develop into a very small spot.

I also had my 4th natera for breast cancer come back from 0 to 1.51
Scared couldn't believe it I cant do chemo or other chemical treatments because of another condition.

Was this your first natera test ?

No, I get them every 4 weeks

I noticed in your post you mentioned you hope the circulating DNA is residual not new occurrence. I was wondering what that means? I have been so scared since my natera came back 1.5 from 0. My surgery was Dec 2021 so right at 3 year mark I got positive test. I had a lung scan which radiologist said nodule doc has been following is stable, I was releaved, till my lung doctor called me yesterday said he viewed my scans & wants me to come in right away instead of my schedule appointment February 27th. So now I’m really scared the radiologist missed something my doctor sees. Why would he not tell me on phone & want me in right away if nothing wrong? Being in breast is easier to take out lungs are totally different. I pray I don’t have anything in my lungs. My diagnosis in October 2021 was invasive mammary carcinoma with lobular features. I had 2 tumors & 7 lymph nodes removed

Realistically, any positive result is indicative of cancer recurrence or progression, surpassing traditional methods, and informing treatment decisions through the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Although ctDNA is generally used to detect residual or remaining cancer following surgery or treatment, It is also capable of detecting new arising cancer. Any positive result should prompt you to seek more intense surveillance and possibly treatment because CTDNA tests can detect cancers 6 to 8 months before it can be seen on a CT or MRI. Although not widely advertised, The CTDNA test from Natera used for breast cancer detects new cancers in only 50% of cases. So if you have a positive result You should consider that it reflects new or residual cancer even after 2 years. Ask your doctor about newly available tests from Natera competitor Exact Sciences, since technology is very rapidly increasing and testing is continuing to improve almost month by month.

I believe this was mentioned in similar posts recently, but remember that Signatera is able to detect cancer 6 to 8 months before it is capable of being seen on a CT or MRI. So you could have a positive result and a negative scan.... But at least you're oncologist will focus on surveillance and be looking intently for a tumor. And then treatment can begin at a stage when the tumor is much more treatable than an advanced stage. So try to look at a initial positive ctDNA result as a plus In the overall perspective.