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

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Thank you for moving my question and sending the comments. Due to Covid, I missed my yearly last year. I ordered the CA 27.29 n my own last July and this July. My normal appt. is in Nov. I am followed closely by mu PCP for hormone and other bloodwork. I was just curious with the rise. I will follow up with the Dr. Thank you

Hi Asj93, welcome to the group. You may have noticed that I moved your message to this existing discussion about concerns with rising CA 27-29. I did this so can connect with fellow members like @elizm @thessf14 @sandyjr @cindylb @keepmoving2 @keepmoving2 @mom23boys and others. I encourage you to read through the past posts.

To quote an earlier post:
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.

Have you had a chance to discuss this fluctuation with your oncologist yet?

I am 13 years out from stage 1 invasive BC with no lyphnode involvement. I had double mast. My CA 27.29 has constantly stayed between 11-13. Last July it was 15 and this July tested at 22. I know that the threshold is 38. I am concerned with the rise. Does anyone have advise they would share? Thank you