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Can Tamoxifen During Maintenance Therapy With Avastin After Ovarian Cancer Treatment With Chemo Cause Elevated Ca 15-3 Values?

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Posted on Fri, 11 Oct 2013
Question: Can tamoxifen,which is additionally taken during maintenance therapy with avastin after ovarian cancer treatment with chemo cause elevated ca 15-3 values??

I was diagnosed 2,5 years ago with ovarian cancer, had a debulking operation and then 6 cycles of chemo (taxol/platin); after that 12 months of maintenance therapy with Avastin only(every 3 weeks); PET-CT and all other imaging methods were then clear with no evidence of disease; shortly after, ca 15-3 value was rising (more significantly then ca 125 value!); my onc. said, who is making the follow up always with these 2 markers, that this is due to some recurrence in the reproperitonal area; in this case, not ca 125, but rather ca 15-3 is rising ??!! So they fould on the sigmoid colon a small knot, which was removed by surgery; after that anoyther 6 cycle chemo(Taxol/platin) was donr and since last 6 months a maintenance therpy with avastin(every 3 weeks) plus tamoxifen(orally every day, 20 mg) is ongoing; all imaging methods, like whole body and abdominal MRI; PET-CT, etc. scan showe no signs of any recurrence; in the last to blood tests, ca 15-3 started to trise slowly; from 24 to 28 to 33 and 3 weeks ago to 66; ca 125 againf was moving very slowly, from 5,8 to 5,5 to 8,2...meanwhile a urin analysis showed, lots of bacteria and some leucocytes; onc. said, the elevation of tumor markers van result from an gyno-urinary tract infection; so I was treated with cipro antibiotics, which I finished 1 week ago, a new urine test showed no bacteria, and very few leucocytes(within acceptable limits); tomorrow ı have another avastin treatment, but before, as they always due, they will make a blood analysis and determine the both tumor markers; I'm scared to death..I hope, that the elevated marker values 3 weeks ago are dure to the urinary infection..Wjhat is your opinion..please send it to me, if possible till this evening, as tomorrow morning I will be in the hospital..thanks
I am waiting for your opinion; would appreciate to have it asap, as I will be very early tomorrow morning in the hospital and will have no access to my e-mail.

I forgot to write to you, that my diagnosis 2,5 years ago was: ovarian cancer, 3c.

2 more questions:

-is it normal, that besides ca 125, the ca 15-3 value is determined every 3 weeks as a secondary marker??
- I started to take orally tamoxifene since 5-6 months, I have every time, after I have taken tamoxifene abdominal bloating; is this a isde effect of this drug and what can I do against it??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manjunath L Ramarajapalli (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Only tumor marker elevation need not be treated

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The elevation of tumor markers ca 125 and ca 15-3 are nonspecific and may be elevated in other conditions like liver disorders, ascites, peritoneal infections (like tuberculosis) etc.
However in case of ovarian tumor on treatment elevation of markers may be seen either with infection or recurrence. It would be hard to differentiate whether it's the infection or recurrence in your case without radiological evidence.

Tamoxifen along with avastin wouldn't be the reason for elevated tumour marker.

In our practice we do tumor markers once in 3 to 6 months. Also only tumor marker elevation without radiological evidence is not treated.

Good luck
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Manjunath L Ramarajapalli

OBGYN, Gynecologic Oncology

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 99 Questions

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Can Tamoxifen During Maintenance Therapy With Avastin After Ovarian Cancer Treatment With Chemo Cause Elevated Ca 15-3 Values?

Brief Answer:
Only tumor marker elevation need not be treated

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The elevation of tumor markers ca 125 and ca 15-3 are nonspecific and may be elevated in other conditions like liver disorders, ascites, peritoneal infections (like tuberculosis) etc.
However in case of ovarian tumor on treatment elevation of markers may be seen either with infection or recurrence. It would be hard to differentiate whether it's the infection or recurrence in your case without radiological evidence.

Tamoxifen along with avastin wouldn't be the reason for elevated tumour marker.

In our practice we do tumor markers once in 3 to 6 months. Also only tumor marker elevation without radiological evidence is not treated.

Good luck