This is a record of all of my tumor marker tests, in reverse chronological order. Normal ranges vary slightly from lab to lab.
Normal Ranges:
CEA ................ 0.0 - 4.7
CA 15.3 ........... 0.0 - 25.0
CA 125 ............ 0.0 - 35.0
Dec. 17, 2008
CEA ........... 23.1
CA 15.3 ..... 59.1
CA 125 ..... 525.4
Nov. 26, 2008
CEA ........... 18.5
CA 15.3 ..... 54.7
CA 125 ..... 440.5
Nov. 5, 2008
CEA ........... 16.4
CA 15.3 ..... 47.0
CA 125 ..... 356.9
Oct. 14, 2008
CEA ........... 16.9
CA 15.3 ..... 46.7
CA 125 ..... 285.2
Sept. 22, 2008
CEA ........... 21.2
CA 15.3 ..... 44.3
CA 125 ..... 362.6
Sept. 5, 2008
CEA ........... 19.3
CA 15.3 ..... 43.4
CA 125 ..... 496.9
Aug. 7, 2008
CEA ........... 7.8
CA 15.3 ..... 45.0
CA 125 ..... 229.0
June 30, 2008
CEA ............ 4.6
CA 15.3 ...... 25.9
CA 125 ...... 125.5
May 20, 2008
CEA ............. 4.4
CA 15.3 ....... 22.6
CA 125 ....... 116.3
Apr. 24, 2008
CEA ............. 9.3
CA 15.3 ....... 33.1
Mar. 17, 2008
CEA ............. 5.0
CA 15.3 ...... 20.9
Oct. 2, 2007
CEA ............. 1.6
CA 15.3 ........ 8.1
June 6, 2007
CEA .............. 0.4
CA 15.3 ......... 5.1
Dec. 20, 2006
CEA .............. 0.5
CA 15.3 ......... 7.2
CA 125 .......... 9.4
July 4, 2006
CEA .............. 0.8
CA 15.3 ......... 3.9
June 13, 2006
CEA .............. 0.5
CA 15.3 ......... 3.7
May 23, 2006
CEA .............. 0.5
CA 15.3 ......... 4.8
Mar. 6, 2006
CEA ............... 0.5
CA 15.3 .......... 5.8
Jan. 20, 2006
CEA ............... 0.5
CA 15.3 .......... 5.1
Jan. 4, 2006
CEA ............... 0.5
CA 15.3 .......... 6.4
CA 125 .......... 11.4
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13 comments:
Hi Shin,
What's 15.3, 125? What does it mean if someone has a slightly raised tumor marker but there is no evidence of cancer? Annie
Hi Annie,
Click on the name of each tumor marker to get an explanation of each one. A raised tumor marker does NOT necessarily indicate cancer, by any means. There are many things that can raise tumor markers.
Also, my tumor markers were within range for many months while cancer was raging throughout my body, so these markers are not much of an indicator in the other direction either.
If you have a raised tumor marker, you should talk to a doctor about other symptoms you might be having.
Hi Shin,
I'm not sure if this is applicable in the case of breast cancer. What I did learn from my father's (fighting Stage 4 Colon Cancer) doctor is that the tumor marker is not 100% accurate due to several factors. In the case of my father's condition for colon cancer, there are times when he is slightly dehydrated and that will raise the markers to significantly high level which becomes a big worry for the family members. There are also other variable factors that may affect the consistency in reading these markers. Again, I would like to stress that this remark could be directed only for colon cancer patients and may not be the same as for breast cancer patients.
Ren,
Thanks for reminding readers that tumor markers are NOT reliable in showing the presence of cancer. As you said, there are many things that could raise tumor markers, in all types of cancer.
If you click on the name of the individual tumor marker at the top of this page, you will get a description of the tumor marker and an explanation of other conditions that could cause that marker to rise.
Hi this is Andrew, I am a cancer survivor (Nose cancer) since being diagnosed on June 1994. After 2 months of radiotherapy treatment my cancer is in remission. But cancer marker check on me is still very high. Doctor is very worried for me but he also said that you cannot rely on this marker indicator. So today after 14 years of survival I thank GOD for keeping me alive and I do hope SHIN you will also live like me positively and ask God to let you live to see your kids growing up. My kids were only 1 and 2 yrs old when I got my cancer. So don’t worry too much, just live on and be happy.
Hi Shin.
I watched Channel 8, "The Face of Death". I should learn from you your courage in facing cancer. Shin, fight for it; you still have 2 loving kids and a husband to support and cheer you up.
I have suffered from fibrocystic breast disease for a few years. This year, I had an operation to remove two benign breast lumps. My mum had also removed one benign fibroadenoma lump. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, as my grandma and grandma's sister died from breast cancer.
One day, this cancer might strike me. After watching this programme, I should learn from you to stop myself from depression. My life is lived wtih regrets as I missed one good guy in 1994. I don't have a happy family as you do.
But I should leave the past behind me and learn to live happily, although being single is something that makes people think of you as a weird person.
Shin, sorry to bore you with my story.
Take Care.
Janet
Janet,
Thanks for sharing your story with me. I assume you and your mother are taking all necessary precautions to monitor your breast health.
There's nothing wrong with being single. When I was in my early thirties, I decided I wanted to stay single and concentrate on work and enjoying life's pleasures. I didn't even want kids - I just thought they were snotty-nosed brats who ruined my peace and quiet in restaurants and movie theaters.
The point is... marriage and kids may or may not happen for you. If Tony had not appeared in my life, I think I still could have had a fulfilling life in a completely different way. And I think you can too.
Hi Shin,
My mother is a breast cancer survivor and I was looking for some answers. I found your blog through Google and I was wondering if you could tell me how much of an increase in tumor markers is significant.
My mother's normal marker is around mid-thirties, but recently it's gone up to the 90s range. Should I be worried?
Raechel
Raechel,
That depends on which tumor marker you're talking about and on various other conditions that can affect tumor markers.
If you click on the names of the different tumor markers above, you'll get some more information.
You and your mother should talk to her doctor about her particular tumor marker numbers.
Thank you. She has scheduled a mammogram to have it checked out.
-Raechel
Raechel,
You cannot get tumor markers from a mammogram.
You need a blood test specifically for the particular tumor markers you're looking for.
Oh, I'm sorry for the confusion; I'd forgotten to mention that she'd just gotten her blood drawn for that. Her markers have increased from mid 30s to about 90. She's getting a mammogram to follow up that appointment.
-Raechel
Raechel,
I'd be interested in the results of her mammogram, as well as her relevant medical history. You can e-mail me at ShinNa66@gmail.com if you'd like to correspond further.
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