kimblanchard Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I switched to a new oncologist back in August of this year, she put me on a different chemo than I had been on. I was originally on Irinetecan and Taxol and it shrunk the lung and liver tumors by 50% and then just stopped working. She put me on Carboplatin & VP 16. After my first ct scan there was no change even though I felt much better. At that time she told me that my LDH count was at 250, when I first went to her it was at 273, she explained that this was a tumor marker and that it was going down. The last time I asked about a month ago it was down to 200, today when I asked it was down to 160, what she called normal. Does anyone else know about this? I have read about it in the past on this board but it was a long time ago and the person I read about had a LDH count of nearly 500. I want to feel ecstatic about this news but I really don't know what it means. My last CT scan showed shrinkage but I don't know the exact percentage. Would appreciate any answers. Thanks Bess B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Bess, Not sure what it means, but it sounds good. I am sure there will be someone who can help with an answer. I know for NSC, CEA is what the docs use, I'm not sure with SC... Praying for you and for continued good results. God Bless Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Bess, Thats weird that you should mention this. I have recently learned that your LDH does have something to do with your liver. My cousin recently had her cholesterol checked and her doctor did tell her to try and get het LDH down because it has something to do with your liver, I am not sure exactlly what he said about it, I am not sure what it all means either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I think it is GREAT news. The LDH is a prognostic indicator. Those with lower LDH levels have a better chance of survival. Keep on doing what ever you are doing You could also ask about your serum neuron-specific enolase (S-NSE). This is another marker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Hi Bess, That’s great news. Also I'm always learing something new from each other which is fantastic. Found some information on LDH plus a website that goes into a little more detail. Hope this helps. Peace, take care and God Bless. Rich Laboratory tests include: ·Complete blood count, differential and platelet count, in which the number of red blood cells, platelets and different types of white blood cells in a blood sample is counted and compared with normal levels. ·Blood test to check levels of sodium, potassium, glucose, creatinine, total bilirubin. Levels of the minerals sodium and potassium, blood sugar, and the proteins creatinine and bilirubin indicate whether or not the liver is functioning normally. ·This is important because lung cancer frequently spreads to this organ. Blood glucose tests can also be used to determine whether the pancreas is functioning normally or has become cancerous. ·Serum alkaline phosphatase tests. Elevated levels of this enzyme in the blood can indicate whether the disease has spread to the intestines, liver, bone cells or bile ducts ·Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This is a hormone normally produced in the body, high levels of which can indicate the presence of cancer and also the return of disease after treatment. ·Calcium, high levels of which can be a sign of cancer. http://www1.excite.com/home/health/canc ... is,00.html ************************************************************* The Power Of People Helping People / The Power Of Knowledge / The Power Of God / The Power Of Believing / The Power Of Positive Thinking / The Power Of Never Taking No For An Answer / That’s The Key ************************************************************* With Every Breath A Lung Cancer Guidebook / From ALCASE / A Wealth Of Information / Free http://www.alcase.org/education/publica ... reath.html The Cancer Survival Toolbox / Free / From NCCS http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org Clinical Trails Listing Service / Center Watch http://www.centerwatch.com Lung Cancer In The News / GOOGLE http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&editi ... ung+cancer The Wellness Community / National Cancer Support, Education And Support / Free http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/pro ... /guide.asp Drug Information Online http://www.drugs.com ALCASE / Alliance For Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, Education http://www.alcase.org Unites States / National Library Of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov Health Information / Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html Google / Great Search Engine http://www.google.com R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc. / Please read: A Letter to all newly diagnosed cancer patients http://blochcancer.org American Cancer Society / No Matter Who You Are, We Can Help http://www.cancer.org Cancer Information Service / NCI http://www.cancer.gov Cancer Research Center / A Cure For Cancer... http://www.cancerresearchcenter.org American Institute for Cancer Research; Nutrition Hotline / AICR http://www.aicr.org Cancer Hope Network / Cancer? http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org Association of Cancer Online Resources / Free Online Lifeline For Everyone Affected By Cancer & Related Disorders http://www.acor.org Lung Cancer Information Library / Electronic Library Of Comprehensive Educational Materials On Cancer For Healthcare Professionals And Patients. http://www.meds.com/lung/lunginfo.html ************************************************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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