CA 27-29 numbers rising: Does anyone else have an issue like this?

I am very glad you picked up this inquiry. Have you had an appointment with your oncologist? He will probably discuss it with you. It is very interesting that your numbers are so much different than mine. My oncologist says that these marker numbers change all the time. I think a lot depends on your type and stage of cancer. As I said, other than with the surgeries, my CA 15-3 has never been tested. If this is not concerning to your Dr, then it shouldn't be to you. Please continue to respond to this as time goes by.

Sandy, I didn't have the marker #s back when I met with him. I'll see him Sept 9 after I have CT's done to check my mets and a new set of complete blood tests and tumor markers. Hopefully the numbers reduce in the 3rd month but I'm patient. You take care and have a nice weekend.

Hello, I'm new here but was hoping someone could help me. I am 11 years out from stage 2 breast cancer and I finished 10 years of Tamoxifen in November. Two weeks ago I had my first round of bloodwork since finishing and my CA 27-29 was a 40. I've always been in the 20s and 30s but I've also always been on Tamoxifen. I retested this week and was even higher, at 44. My doctor wants me to go back in 2 weeks for bloodwork one more time and if it's still high he wants to order scans. I can't really even put into words the fear and despair I'm feeling right now, but I'm sure most of you can imagine. So my question is - has anyone had this happen to them, specifically after stopping Tamoxifen, and it NOT progressed to stage 4? I do have a history of ovarian cysts but my markers have always been in normal range.

@lauren03
Hi, Lauren. Welcome to the group.

One of the reasons why my oncology group does not use tumor markers is that there has been no evidence to prove that they are 100% reliable for determining the presence or absence of cancer. Apparently, there are several circumstances, such as other health issues or disease, which can contribute to raised tumor marker levels. I realize that isn't a comfort to you... all of us are super sensitive to any news which may suggest a recurrence as we've been through too much not to be anxious... but let your oncologist do his work. It's so nice that it's "someone else's job" to make those determinations! Keep up with your self-care and do not hesitate to let us know how things are going. We're in your corner with this fight.

The first time I had BC in 2007, my tumor markers were ok. I did not pay so much attention then. I was stage 0 with no lymph node involvement. The second time I had it, my tumor markers were in the 40s. I had stage 1 invasive BC with no lymph node involvement in 2018. Lumpectomies both time. Only 2 times since then have they been in the 30s. I had a full body CT scan and nothing showed it...that was in May 2019. They seem to be fluctuating from the 30s thru the 40s this time. My oncologist tests me for them, but is not alarmed at all. I took tamoxifen the first time...this time anastrozole...which I may stop and go on tamoxifen in April. That is to keep my bones healthy. I cannot tell you not to worry because I would be too, but a friend of mine was told by her doctor that he doesn’t use them because they are not definite and only cause fear in the patient when they go up. This time around I am still concerned, but much more relaxed about it. I think going for the scans is a good thing either way. If nothing shows up then just relax. My doctor has told me that the 40s are the magic number for me. The CA 27.29 is not supposed to be used as a diagnostic in early stage breast cancers.

Thank you. I have actually found myself hoping it is in the breast instead of being metastatic which is a crazy thing to hope for! (Obviously my first hope is that it's nowhere!!!) But since I'm CHEK2 positive and still have one real breast that's a real possibility.

I am CHEK 2 as well. I found out last September and decided to have a bilateral mastectomy...had that w/ reconstruction in July. The covid messed that up...made a big delay. The whole surgery thing was not bad at all. I had a difficult time mentally the second time I had BC and felt I would probably go over the edge if it happened again.

I was planning to do the healthy breast this Fall proactively but decided not to because of Covid also. I don’t want to go through it again either - ugh - but it would be a better option than mets...

Im new to this test. I had my first test after Double Mastectomy (Oct 2020), last January and its 26. Today, my seconf CA 27-29 returned with 36. Should I be afraid with the 10-point jump. 😱

Hi Thessf14, and welcome. Variations in tumor markers test like the CA 27-29 can be disconcerting and stressful. As @cindylb aptly said in an earlier message in this thread "Tumor marker tests are one tool doctors have to monitor but they can have great change and variables." And @mom23boys said "people's numbers bounce around and no two people seem to have the same starting point or "normal"."

Tumor markers are a simple non-invasive test that can give a signal for further investigation - the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Sometimes the fluctuations may indicate a progression of disease and sometimes not.

I'm sorry that you got this reading on a Friday going into the weekend, especially when it may mean nothing. Were you able to talk to your oncologist today or to leave a message on your patient portal? What type and stage of breast cancer do you have?