Tumor Marker Info.Again Please?

Could someone please post a good site for Tumor Marker Information once again please? Humor us? I have received a few emails lately advocating the use of them during 'routine follow up' appt. with our doctors.[post op. and post chemo/rads] On the other hand, I have read that they are fairly in-accurate when it comes to Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancers. I have read that they are used more for Stages 3 & 4 cancers [then for the ones already mentioned] to monitor disease progression, and treatment effectiveness.

If I have not gotten the information right please someone correct me...Everything I have heard is that Doctors don't really like doing them unless there is doubt about someones particular situation..or in the face of particular symptoms. I think maybe once more through this and it will clear up alot of mis-information about this particular testing.

thanks for reading this annie

When life seems unfair

I don't have one to hand myself, if I find one I will add it to the FAQ . I do recall reading that they only detect something like 10% of stages 1-2 cancers.

Their main value is monitoring the progress of therapy in advanced cases. Having established an exceptionally high level of a marker, there is reasonable confidence that the majority it is being caused by the tumour, and so the rate of fall (or not) in that level should reflect effectiveness of the therapy in use. This is then used to decide whether to continue with that therapy or to switch to another. In this situation, waiting for changes in symptoms could be too late.

Tim Jackson

Could someone please post a good site for Tumor Marker Information once again please? Humor us? I have received a few emails lately advocating the use of them during 'routine follow up' appt. with our doctors.[post op. and post chemo/rads] On the other hand, I have read that they are fairly in-accurate when it comes to Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancers. I have read that they are used more for Stages 3 & 4 cancers [then for the ones already mentioned] to monitor disease progression, and treatment effectiveness.

If I have not gotten the information right please someone correct me...Everything I have heard is that Doctors don't really like doing them unless there is doubt about someones particular situation..or in the face of particular symptoms. I think maybe once more through this and it will clear up alot of mis-information about this particular testing.

thanks for reading this annie

When life seems unfair

Thanks so much Tim.. I truly hope this clears this up once and for all...well, till someone new shows up..huh? ;-} I was close I read 6% of all Stage 1 and Stage 2 cancers.

BTW? who's going to answer all the questions you have posted on your FAQ page right now? The ones that don't appear to have an answer you can link to... Are you researching the answers still [books? websites?] can any of us help you look for anything that will help you out with this page? ['watch what you wish for' right?]

later thanks again annie

When life seems unfair

6% might well be right - my point was that it is small, the actual number is immaterial.

Well I'm slowly filling in some sort of text where I can. I don't aim (or have time) to write everything, anyone who wants to write an answer is more than welcome. The last thing I want is a FAQ full of my opinions. I hope that if I get the ball rolling by putting down what I can, others will chime in with corrections and additions.

In the end, if I give an answer then I'll delete the question.

Tim Jackson

Thanks so much Tim.. I truly hope this clears this up once and for all...well, till someone new shows up..huh? ;-} I was close I read 6% of all Stage 1 and Stage 2 cancers.

BTW? who's going to answer all the questions you have posted on your FAQ page right now? The ones that don't appear to have an answer you can link to... Are you researching the answers still [books? websites?] can any of us help you look for anything that will help you out with this page? ['watch what you wish for' right?]

later thanks again annie

When life seems unfair

That should read 'if I can't give an answer'.

Tim

annie everytime i see the oncol which is every 2 months i get bllod work for the tumor markers which is called ca 27-29. all i can tell you is they tell me everytime it's normal, although i wish i knew what normal meant did this help??prbably not love linda bliss

oh annie i forgot to mention in the first post i was stage 2...now something else to worry about?? love linda

Thanks for clearing that up for us...I was wondering about that....I thought I was reading it wrong,...given the hour. ;-} take care annie

When life seems unfair