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What Causes Tumor Marker Level Fluctuations During Blood Work?

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2015

Question: my doctor told me that my tumor is going up and down now and said he has to watch it and my have to have another scan I think a pet scan. What does up and down mean?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may be related to patient movement.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Please let me know during what investigation these words were said means during ultrasound,CT scan or MRI.
Tumor is going up and down is not specific finding.It may be related to patient movement.Movement during radiological investigations causes deterioration of image quality and it causes problem in interpreting the findings.
Please let me know more details.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (11 hours later)

No This came up on may 5th after recent blood work. I have been on chemo for 10 months

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Marker level is going up and down means values are fluctuating.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late.

Things are clear now.Tumour markers are done to assess treatment response.
Generally tumour marker level go down with successful treatment.
Tumour marker level is going up and down means values are fluctuating.
It may be considered as variable response to treatment and it is difficult time for clinician,so your doctor is planning for further investigations like PET scan.PET can assess activity of tumour cells,so you may go for it.
Further treatment plan depend upon findings.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad