Donna G Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 I would like to know what some of the members' oncologists use as a Tumor Marker for SCLC. Steve's onc uses CEA, but the 2nd & 3nd opinion oncologists said that CEA is not usually used with SCLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 My understanding with sclc the only way it is measured is-limited or extensive. Limited meaning to one area and extensive is it has spread to other organs, ex. liver, adrenal gland, brain, etc. I was told by my oncologist that the LDH usually increases with the increase in the cancer. He gets an LDH with each regular bld work up. My LDH is always high but the only time it increased was when the sclc had spread to the L lung last Feb. Hope this helps some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 13, 2003 Author Share Posted September 13, 2003 Hi Cindy- Steve's onc said that the CEA measures protein a malignant tumor produces. If the CEA decreases, then the tumor is less active and hopefully, dying. If it increases, the tumor is active and probably spreading. Upon diagnosis, Steve's LDH was 223 and fluctuated greatly during and after chemo. Now it is 180, but his CEA Tumor Marker is up from 29.3 to 95.5. He is extended, but all mets disappeared after 2 rounds of chemo. Began new chemo yesterday, after 2 months off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 Donna-I will have to do some checking. I know all Dr are different. I just did not realise that the CEA levels were associated with the sclc. Anyone out there with info on this? Thanks, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_18.htm Try this site for different markers for different types of cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 14, 2003 Author Share Posted September 14, 2003 Cindy - I have that site and another saved that I refer to often. Two doctors said that CEA is NOT used for SCLC, but that is what Steve's Dr. is using. I was just curious as to what else is used, instead of CEA for SCLC. Just curious as to why he'd be using that, if it's not the standard or norm. Always questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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