Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Quick Links
all articles Treatments A-Z Help Center Guidelines Crisis Accessibility
Resources
Breast Cancer Information Breast Cancer Symptoms and Side Effects Breast Cancer Treatments Emotional Well-Being Living With Breast Cancer All Resources
About MyBCTeam
What is This Site Terms of Use Privacy policy
Powered By
Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can Anyone Explain Tumor Markers?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Mays Landing, NJ

During my hard chemo, my tumor markers were in the mid twenties for the most part. I heard as long as they were under 36 it was ok. After the hard chemo ended and I went on the maintenance chemo (herceptin and perjeta) my markers dropped to 17, then 16 and the last one was 12. I'm not really sure what this means. Is it an indication of the number of tumors in your body or your recurrence chances or what? I'm happy to see it going down but I wondered what it actually means. Does a person… read more

September 26, 2015 (edited)
•
View reactions
A MyBCTeam Member

And here is the good side of tumor markers, for some reason my oncologist never stopped the orders to have my tumor markers done even though I was five years out. 6 months later my tumor markers are elevated hoping for a false positive but when checked again further elevated and PET scan showed three areas of metastases. I would have never known as I am still asymptomatic. Started on xeloda and praying for the best.

March 13, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

I had a tumor mark test done and it was 19 and I did not have invasive cancer.

February 16, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

I am curious when you say elevated what was the level? I had a double mastectomy in April of 2015, but did not have invasive cancer my levels are:
lipid associated Sialic acid-19
CEA- .9
AFB Serim Tumor Marker- 4.3
CA 19-9 - 8
Cancer Antigen CA 125- 9.2
Cancer antigen CA 15-3 - 17.9
Beta 2 Microblobulin Serum - 1.2

March 27, 2016 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member - Glad they found it for you! Another friend of mine is on Xeloda and doing great!

March 13, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

thanks @A MyBCTeam Member - since I wrote that question I've learned more. It's basically blood tests that they do to check the probability of cancer in your system. They aren't the most reliable so a lot of doctors don't even bother with them. You can have cancer and they can stay low or other things like chemo or radiation can cause them to go higher.

February 16, 2016

Related content

View All

Hey Everyone, Please Help, Raised Tumor Markers, 1 Yr Post Op, I Have To Now Do Full Body Bone Scan And Ct Chest,abdomen, Pelvis; Scared

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Upper Tract, WV
March 27, 2023

Tumor Marker Continues To Rise

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Woodstock, GA
February 20, 2020

Cancer Marker Tests

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Pensacola, FL
January 25, 2023
11 Types and Subtypes of Breast Cancer: Inflammatory, DCIS, HER2, and More
HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment: 6 Facts To Know
Staging vs. Grading for Breast Cancer: What’s the Difference?
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data Policy and Privacy policies.Your privacy is our priority Lock Icon
Already a Member? Log in