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TUMOUR MARKERS DECREASED BUT SCAN SHOWS INCREASE

amanda88
amanda88 Member Posts: 1 ✭
in Metastatic breast cancer
Hi all,

I have received my mothers results from her cancer markers and they have decreased quite alot but we are so confused because her CT scan shows that theres new cancer spots on her bones and its increased since last scan. This doesnt make any sense and we cant see her oncologist till t=next week. Any advice or help is appreciated 

Comments

  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,764 ✭
    @amanda88 perhaps if you rang the Helpline at BCNA they maybe able to give you some direction on understanding the CT scan

    1800 500 258
    Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm AEST Monday to Friday, BCNA's Member Support Services team can be reached on 1800 500 258. Calls to the Helpline are free of charge when made from a landline and charged at standard rates when made from a mobile phone.
  • Lisa1407
    Lisa1407 Member Posts: 258 ✭
    Hi @amanda88, Sometimes cancer markers do not accurately reflect what is going on in terms of the disease. Has you mother's oncologist relied on them before? I know mine aren't really reflective of what is going on and my oncologist relies on PET and CT scans even though I still get CA153 blood tests. Unfortunately, my guess is that your mum's oncologist will rely on the CT scans (rather than the cancer markers) and may what to change treatments either now or soon. I hope this is not the case. Good luck. Cheers Lisa
  • StarGirl
    StarGirl Member Posts: 135 ✭
    Hi @amanda88, when this exact thing happened to me my oncologist told me that not all cancers produce the proteins that the tumour marker blood tests pick up, so you can have a recurrence or growth that doesn’t cause the tumour markers measured by the blood tests to rise. All the best X 
  • elisewjk
    elisewjk Member Posts: 62 ✭
    edited November 2021
    Hi @amanda88, I'm sad to say that I have to agree with those above. The Tumour Marker tests aren't always reliable. My  Onco has little faith in them when looking at my journey, we keep doing them more to appease me and track my blood tests :)  Mine often chop and change and nothing in line with other tests or events and are so low that it says I shouldn't have the Big C! :o  And alas that's not true, as I'm a Stage 4 with Bone Mets since Oct 2018... And I went thru every test possible to prove that...blood tests, biopsies, mammograms, ultrasounds, CT, Bone scan, PET scan, MRI and spine bone biopsy. I know "scaniexty" is not easy, its best to discuss the results of your tests with your Drs when you have them all and then determine what can be done as the next step. Take care, hugs  :)
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 8,197 ✭
    How is your Mum going, @amanda88?  I hope she isn't having too many side effects from her treatment xx. If you let us know, those on the same treatment may be able to give her some tips.  Where abouts does your Mum live? Town or city? We may have members nearby who can advise of specific services available in the area.

    It's a tricky one, .... hubby's markers have remained steady & still going down, yet the disease is progressing. :(   it didn't 'show as well' on the PET scan - but the CT confirmed it.

    Take care xx

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