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What were your tumor marker results at time of stage 4 diagnosis?
So far, I have only the CA 19-9 and CEA results from March, when we thought we were establishing baseline info because I was (at that time) high risk for pan can. I was diagnosed at stage 4 in April. I'm curious to know where I fall anecdotally in the range of stage 4 patients. My CA19-9 was 1736 and my CEA was 13.2, both higher than normal, of course.
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166 after 12 Folfirinox infusions
12 one month after Whipple
77 when MRI spotted "suspect lesion" 3 months later
279 when Signatera went positive and new MRI confirmed recurrence 6 weeks later
584 when mets were detected on CT a month later
667 when I started chemo (Gem/Abrax/Cis) two weeks after the CT
It went as low as 71 after my 10th chemo, but inched back up to 77 after #11; a few more concerning but "indeterminate" lesions on MRI. Next MRI and Signatera in late June will determine if I have to switch therapies.
Haven't tracked CEA with my treatments.
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2 ReactionsWhere do you get ctDNA or liquid biopsy or signature testing. Does Mayo offer them. If so to whom in the pan can population. Any info to understand this testing is much appreciated as I am dealing with tumor size shrinkage in primary tumor in pancreas but elevation inn ca-9 19...response in one area to current treatment but progression in other organs including peritoneal cavity. ...I am not sure which way to go...help. currently my oncologist is pressuring testing with pet scan . .help with guidance...education. information .thanks
Some types or autocorrect...signatura testing not signature. And yboncologist is persuing pet scan not pressuring
Your oncologist can order the Signatera test for you. It is custom designed for you, using your biopsy tissue which should have been stored.
This test looks for residual disease in your bloodstream. I call them “roamers” looking for a place to set up camp! This test is often used in conjunction with the CA19-9 to illustrate a trend indicating if therapy is working or not. The PET can show where trouble may be brewing; CTs and MRIs are usually definitive.
Signatera info is very available online for further detail.
My husband was CA 19-9 of 2500, which went up to 4200 after the first month of treatment and is now 28 after 15 cycles of Gemcitabine, Abraxane and Pamrevulab- the trial drug.
CEA was 195.
It is not unusual to bump up before it goes down so don’t be alarmed.
Hope your treatments go well.
CEA went from 195 to 3.3
Forgot to include in previous comment
Sorry
What do you do if your body does not emit tumor markers? CA19-9 and CEA show nothing.
My blood work post chemo and Whipple is showing high alkaline phosphate and high liver enzyme ALT ( just above high end). What does this mean?
My husband's CA 19-9 was very very high when he was originally diagnosed (34,000!). But his tumor and liver mets were all very small. After 4 rounds of Folfironox they had dropped to 5,000. He just completed his 7th round and we are waiting results - along with agressively incorporating everything we can learn regarding a metabolic cancer-starving protocol consistent with Jane McLelland's book "How to Starve Cancer".
I never heard of a number that high - great that the Folfirinix is working ! My husband will be doing that protocol when the one he is in stops working. I’ll look into that book. Thanks
Please read my latest post under the thread about a Metabolic Cancer protocol. I outline everything we are doing including the Care Oncology protocol recommended by Jane McClelland.