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

crane 67, your number wss low...!y dr said anything under 38 is normal. i have recurrance and my number is only 9!!

@crane67, welcome. A normal range is less or equal to 38.6 units per millimeter (U/mL). Keep in mind that the CA 27.29 reference range can vary slightly from one lab to the next.

To help you connect with other members like @lisakinpa @jemma17 @lazomama @mssewest @cctoo, I moved your question about interpreting CA 27-29 results to this existing discussion:

- CA 27-29 numbers rising: Does anyone else have an issue like this? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ca-27-29-consistently-high-in-the-40s/

A single value is less important than how the results trend over time. Thus the test is generally used to monitor and notice whether there is a change in your values.

Crane, have you discussed the results of your test with your oncologist? What type of breast cancer do you have and what treatments are you having?

Hello everyone,
Recently I had a CA 27-29 test and want to know how to interpret my results. Is there a numerical range that is given to interpret the results? My value was 10.7. Can breast cancer survivors ever reach a score of 0?

This is happening a lot. Because of the new federal law everyone gets all the test results immediately in the portal. Test results telling them they have cancer or that it has metastasized or grown show up in portal, then they can’t see the doctor for a week or more to get the translation. We field a lot of the questions now, I remember when my doctor told me, I am sure grateful he was there for me.
I think this is a great idea for an article, very relevant today.

Diane - I guess tumor markers are, as they say, just tools that point us in a direction. I don’t know why I’m feeling so much better and at the same time markers (27-29) are rising. The upcoming PET will tell us more. Best to you. Adana

Thanks for your response. I am 3 years into treatment for return of my BC to lung and bones. Ibrance did not work for me and I got worse on it. However I am doing well with Afinitor, exemestane and Faslodex injections as well as Xgeva for the bone Mets. However the tumor marker continues to rise🤔All we can do is press on, take our pills, get our scans and LIVE our life.
Curious that yours came down so much and hope they will find the best approach.

Hi Diane - After 16 years of no detectable cancer I’m now 1 year into treatment for BC mets to the bone. My 27/29 started at 2800 (doc said my PET lite up like a Christmas tree) and we’ve gotten it down to 384 with Ibrance/Letrisole ( 8 months) then Afinitor/Faslodex (4 months). Most people here seem to be concerned if they’re above 40 with the 27/29 - so I’m interested to see someone higher. But it’s going up again. My onc doc does a PET scan before deciding if I need to change meds. I have a protein mutation (PIK3CA) that can be targeted with piqray (alpelisib) tablets.

Mine have been rising for over a year. Last one was 695!! Had PET scan and found nothing. It is scary but not diagnostic and I continue with treatment.

Wait.....you found these things out via your patient online account?!?! Holy moly!

That sounds like a very interesting piece you are writing. I found out that 1) I had breast cancer and 2) the lumpectomy (I had 2) did not achieve clear margins, which would mean a mastectomy. I feel very ambivalent about this. I was devastated.