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Why are cancer markers 15-3 and 19-9 rising while CA-125 isn’t?
Hi there, was wondering why ca 19-9 and ca 15-3 are elevated and/or rising, despite ca 125 "normal" . I have stage 3C2 serous endometrial cancer. CT scan shows tumors shrinking on ENHERTU. So am confused why these markers are still elevated.
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Or maybe try communicating with him something like "I would like to understand all I can about my cancer. When you scoff at my questions it doesn't help me." I'm sure you can do better, but maybe we can educate the Docs that we need to be treated with courtesy and respect.
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1 Reaction@jchantler He's out of the picture. BTW, I had reported his conduct to the cancer clinic but they too found reasons not to redress him.
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2 Reactions@greatgrandma2025 At 80-years-old and with 9 great grandchildren I think I can understand why you are reluctant to do the chemo treatments. If you've read the comments here and in other Gynecological Cancer discussions you will see a range of responses and reactions to chemotherapy. Some people have few side effects and some people have more. Do you know the names of the chemo agents that are proposed by your doctors? If you do, then you might like to list the names of the chemo agents here as some of our members can then respond with their own experiences.
I did not have chemotherapy so I cannot provide my own experience.
I've had pelvic radiation therapy. I had 28 external beam treatments and 2 internal (brachytherapy) treatments. I had very few side effects with radiation therapy other than fatigue and occasional diarrhea. Again, do you know what your doctors are proposing for radiation therapy?
Quality of life is certainly very important. You are the best judge for what you consider your own quality of life. You mentioned that you've kept your diagnosis from your immediate family. Have you now told your children? Or your grandchildren? Perhaps they can helpful although ultimately it is your decision on how you would like to proceed.
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4 Reactions@cookercooker Glad to hear he is out of your care team!
@greatgrandma2025
You are an inspiration Great Grandma. I'm 65 with IIIC1.
Complete hysterectomy Aug 8. Tumor removed and cancer cells present in one sentinel lymph node. Tumor board recommended both chemo and EBRT but my oncologist said chemo only. I didn't want either as I also want a want l good quality of life for whatever years remain.
I agreed to chemo a week ago and had the first infusion Friday which didn't go as well as planned.
I was told that the cancer cells in the lymph node are so small that they aren't detectable in the CT which is why I should have chemo.
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2 Reactions@mtstack Thank you so much for your response. I am praying for you as you are young and have so many years left. They told me the same thing when they removed the lymph node. I got a second opinion and my oncologist recommended a different approach, which I am considering. I understand that the doctors are more experience with cases like ours and they want a successful outcome as far as the cancer . We do too. I just can't make the decision until I have been with my two great grandchildren who I haven't seen. I don't want to put them at risk. When they told me to plan my visit as close to the next treatment that was not good enough for me. I hope you keep posting so I can support you in any way that you need. It helps sometime to talk about it to a stranger. I have already had a bad experience with the radiation Dr. I think sometimes they don't realize the fragile situation we are in and they just want to get on with it. They want snap decisions while you are trying to process what they are saying. I was told you can quit anytime during treatment too. Can I ask what chemo they are recommending for you. I hope you will get past this bump in the road. I am learning not to sign or answer on the spot so I can analyze what they are saying. One day later doesn't matter at this stage for me. many hugs not just one.
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4 Reactions@naturegirl5 Yes after surgery my husband and two sons know. I haven't told three of my granddaughters yet but they know I had surgery, They have teenagers and I don't think they are ready to hear it yet. My one great granddaughter had reacted to the fact that I didn't answer her text when I was getting a cast on my hand two months prior to my finding out about the cancer. She cried days after she knew I was ok. At that time I had a talk with her letting her know I'm old my greats have not experienced people my age and dying. That someday she will get a call and it's part of life. But she continues to text good morning and good night. Phone calls telling me her issues which I love a chance to have input. She is 17 and my great grandson is 19. They keep me going although if I get chemo it will be apparent when my hair falls out. My grand daughter makes up treatments for my hair to keep it healthy. They recommended Carboplatin and paxol 6 treatments and 5 weeks of radiation daily. My second opinion recommended lower dose and only carboplatin . Thank you for responding I appreciate any information I can get
@greatgrandma2025 I didn't know about Mayo Clinic Connect when I was first diagnosed with endometrial (endometroid adenocarcinoma) in 2019. I was 67-years-old at that time and had just retired. What a roller coaster of emotions. I knew I would need a hysterectomy but there was so much else I did not know at the time. There was no one I could talk to and like you I wanted to keep my diagnosis private.
I love how your great-grandchildren connect with you. Treatments for your hair, texting every morning and night. This is all so beautiful.
So, now, I look at Mayo Clinic Connect as the best place to get support, kindness, and the sharing of experiences. I hope you will allow us to continue to support you as you decide your own course forward.
@greatgrandma2025
I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the radiation.
I'm glad you got a second opinion which thus far I have been reluctant to do. I really trust my gynecologic oncologist and feel he listens to me even though he might think I'm making a mistake if I elect no further treatment.
The medical oncologist is very efficient but an entirely different demeanor. I feel like she's ordering me to treatment and not hearing what I'm telling her as though my concerns aren't important.
Paclitaxel (taxol) and carboplatin for 6 cycles.
It took three tries to get an IV inserted. Then within minutes of the infusion of Taxol, had an allergic reaction and thought I
was going to have a heart attack. Taxol stopped and Benadryl administered which stopped the reaction.
Took me almost two hours to decide what to do. The doctor called after an hour and just seemed to want to press me to take an anti anxiety med so I would sleep through it and wanted a decision. I told her I needed more time to process everything and make my own decision. She didn't sound pleased.
Eventually everything worked out.
So now starting to experience the side effects and hoping they're mild.
Thank you for reaching out.
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1 Reaction@greatgrandma2025
I requested lowest dosage possible and my medical oncologist said no.
Maybe you are best if with the second opinion with lower dosage and no taxol.
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