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

You may wish to discuss it with your PCP and ask if further testing is warranted. Just a thought.

My ca 27.29 are elevated to 40. I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer in Sept 2019. Had lumpectomy with no lymph node involvement. had radiation treatments. my tumor markers bounce from 40 down to low 30"s. the cancer center that my oncologist is affiliated with does this blood draw every six months. I am currently taking tamoxifin. Now she wants me to have CT of C/A/P with contrast and a bone scan. My surgical oncologist is affiliated with Rutgers Cancer Institute and has advised me that they don't even perform this test for a patient such as myself as I did not have metastatic breast cancer and the test are not reliable and causes undo stress. I was unable to continue with Arimidex or Aromosin as I had terrible bone pain along with foot paid and hand pain. I also have arthritis and had my knee scoped in June. I really don't want to put unnecessary stress on my kidneys from the contrast of the test.

If you read back to @colleenyoung comment a while back she talks about trends in these numbers. This is a very good point. Since they have been running these numbers every 6 months, you should know the trend, has it stayed steadily low and suddenly jumped? Or has it been bouncing around or has it been steadily climbing? Maybe using this information you can get a better idea of wether or not you want to get a scan. This is really just one of many tools that doctors use to make sure it can’t come back undetected.

Hi Mary, I add my welcome. Did you decide to get the CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis? Usually they are done to evaluate for metastatic disease. Did you ask your oncologist if she suspects that the cancer has spread? Or why she feels the scans are necessary? I can certainly understand you're not wanting to get tests unnecessarily. Why is a good question to ask.

Hi Colleen, Yes I did go ahead and have a bone scan and CT's on Saturday. Pretty sure the bone scan was clear as the tech said that the radiologist reviewed and did not want anymore views. He said I could enjoy my weekend. No word yet on the CT's. Just had on Saturday. My oncologist ordered the test because my ca27.29 was at 40. slightly high as it should be 38 or lower. She also said this could be my norm. I have read so much regarding the test and how it is not accurrate. mammo was clear last month, I never had any lymphnode envolvement, just lumpectomy and radiation. I am currently taking tamoxifin. I am considering perhaps going to see another oncologist. I travel an hour to see this one as when I was employed I had to stay in network but now I am on Medicare and can go anywhere I choose.

I am really happy that your scans went well. I would think less travel is better, unless you were like my family. We have an oncologist we really think is amazing an hour and half north of us. If we didn’t, I might not travel. Do you live in an area with choices?

Can you please share name of your oncologist as I would love to consult with him on his opinion that these numbers fluctuate...as we just got a high marker for my mom...but she also has COPD and AFIB Heart issues...help?

@kygirl0723 take a deep breath and try not to panic. These numbers do fluctuate, can you tell me more about your mom and her breast cancer? Did they order a repeat of this test? Does she have a doctor she trusts? I know this sounds like the third degree doesn’t it, I would just want to understand your story a bit and let others here know how to respond as well. We all are here to support each other. Do you have a large cancer center or teaching hospital close by?

My oncologist was Steven Papish. I think he has retired. My CA 27.29 seems to be pretty steady in the 40s. A couple of things to think about....as your Dr said, tumor markers change all the time...also, if you have low stage cancer...I had stage 0 and stage 1 with no node involvement either time they should not be stressed. According to what I have read, tumor markers should not be considered in those stages. Some doctors do not even test the tumor markers as they are not conclusive in early stage BC and cause the patient to worry.

You can believe that, as a IIIc patient, I'm going to consult my local oncologist about CA 27.29. But then again, that's the same department that (as a postmenopausal woman) was going to put me on 5 years of Tamoxifen and call it a day. It was not until I consulted for a second opinion at Dana Farber did I discover all sorts of things that could and should be done, but the CA 27.29 test never came up in the discussion. Any info on others' experiences with this test would be welcome!