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

In my 3rd month of Ibrance/Letrozole and having blood work today as a matter of fact. My baseline #'s in May (prior to start) were 58.1 on the CA-15-3 and 88.0 on the 27-29. Curious to see where they are at now. I will most likely be right back out hear with questions this afternoon. Have a great day everyone.

Mine has been in the 40's & 50's over the past 18 months - the most recent (4 months apart) were 54.6, 53.6 & 53, most recently. My oncologist ordered a PET scan this week and the results showed NED. She is going to keep an eye on it but reiterated that tumor markers have a large margin of error.

I keep a chart where I track the monthly results. I like to see the changes. I also have the CA15.3 done and it looks like a roller coaster most of the time. The oncologist laughs at my excel chart but I want to know what the numbers are doing. Are you able to see all of your results without consulting the doctor?

During my last blood draw the tech had trouble too and it showed 'platlett clumping' (I can't spell that, dang).....that can be a sign of lymphoma and as a breast cancer survivor I was very worried too. My doctor said that the bad blood draw can cause that. Good that you're going for another blood test Tumor marker blood tests can rise and fall with inflammation too I believe (as can results on PET scans be inflammation only and not cancer sometimes). The inflammation can be from something else (a virus etc). It's certainly not an exact science but just another tool.

I checked with a friend of mine who is a lab tech. She asked me about how the blood was drawn. She asked if it took a long time to get the blood drawn. It did in fact. I was having the blood drawn for my foot and the technician was having difficulties getting it to work. My technician friend said that that could have had an effect on the quality of the blood and therefore giving a false reading. I have asked my doctor to give me another order to have that test redone, which she agreed to. I am getting that done tomorrow. Hopefully that will be the issue. I also have a ct scan set up which I have no problem doing. If the new test comes back ok then my mind will be at ease. I should have some news on Monday.

From what I understand..........tumor markers via blood are one way doctors can see how well treatment is going or whether there is 'cancer' circulating in the blood. I have read though that it can have both false and positive results that are NOT the result of cancer, so getting a CT and following up is the best option. If you read up on this or talk with your doctors they will tell you it can be a sign of cancer or returning cancer but can also be other things.

I had blood work 4months ago and then just this past week. My CA 27.29 jumped 10 points in that time and is now out of the normal range...49. I had surgery in April and radiation in July of 2018. I have been taking anastrozole since last May. Has anyone else had this experience? Of course I am afraid. Can stress affect tumor marker readings? My doctor is sending me for a CT scan. Is this a “normal” occurrence?