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What Causes Tumor Markers To Rise Despite A Mastectomy?
Question: I had breast cancer 15 years ago and had a mastectomy on my left breast.
15 months ago the blood test tumor marker 27/29 started to go up. My oncologist repeats the test every 3 months and it continues to climb. It is now at 99 plus. I’ve had had CT scans, MRI breast , mammograms and numerous ultrasounds. Nothing shows up. I am so frustrated with all this as I see the numbers climbing. My oncologist has met and discussed it with other oncologist s and I have already been to see a breast surgeon. Any recommendations?
15 months ago the blood test tumor marker 27/29 started to go up. My oncologist repeats the test every 3 months and it continues to climb. It is now at 99 plus. I’ve had had CT scans, MRI breast , mammograms and numerous ultrasounds. Nothing shows up. I am so frustrated with all this as I see the numbers climbing. My oncologist has met and discussed it with other oncologist s and I have already been to see a breast surgeon. Any recommendations?
Brief Answer:
Advice to undergo genetic testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The tumor marker CA 27/29 is not a very good predictor for recurrence of breast cancer in already treated patients.
Research has shown to rely more on clinical symptoms, signs and imaging results like a mammogram, bone scan and MRI to monitor for recurrence.
Since your CA 27/29 levels have been consistently rising, I would recommend getting other breast cancer markers like CEA, CA 15-3 done and see if the levels are also consistently rising.
Discuss with your oncologist to undergo genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation before going ahead with mastectomy. If there are no gene mutations present and other test are giving normal results, then going ahead with right side mastectomy would be overtreatment.
Please discuss these options with your oncologist and surgeon.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
Advice to undergo genetic testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The tumor marker CA 27/29 is not a very good predictor for recurrence of breast cancer in already treated patients.
Research has shown to rely more on clinical symptoms, signs and imaging results like a mammogram, bone scan and MRI to monitor for recurrence.
Since your CA 27/29 levels have been consistently rising, I would recommend getting other breast cancer markers like CEA, CA 15-3 done and see if the levels are also consistently rising.
Discuss with your oncologist to undergo genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation before going ahead with mastectomy. If there are no gene mutations present and other test are giving normal results, then going ahead with right side mastectomy would be overtreatment.
Please discuss these options with your oncologist and surgeon.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal, General & Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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