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  • #1

    AFP worry

    I just had my "almost" two year checkup with my oncologist. My chest xray was clean, and my HCG was <2. My AFP, on the other hand, has crept up to 6.9 (where <6.1 is considered normal).
    During survelience it had been in the 4's post left side removal & RPLND. Last check about 6 moths ago had it in the high 5's. So in 6 months it has gone up another point.
    He is a little concerned (I'm terrified) and we are going back to monthly blood work and he is considering a PET scan based on the next bloodwork.
    Just wondering if I should be freaking out about a 6.9 AFP? When diagnosed I had an HCG of 139 and AFP of 13. One lymph node was discovered by the RPLND to be infected.
    I'm also starting Androgel tomorrow because my testosterone level only occasionally hits 200.
    Anyway, if this is a reoccurance, how fast would the rise be? Any experience out there? I'm of the understanding this is a fast spreading cancer, so should it have risen faster in 6 moths?
    Thanks!
    __________________________________________
    Left I/O Aug 06 2004 - Dr. Vitas / Rockledge FL
    RPLND Oct 14 2004 - Dr. Foster / Indianapolis IND
    Seminoma & Embryonal Cell Carcinoma mixed
    Stage IIa
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hmmm If I were you, I wouldn't fret over it just yet! Since the small increase it could be the lab. . .

    I would think if it were coming back, the AFP would be jumping up faster than what it has.. . .

    take care!
    Diagnosed August 2005
    R/O August 2005 AFP 210

    4xEP beginning December 2005
    End Feb/March 2006 AFP 4.6
    April 2006 AFP 22 and rising

    Tandem Stem Cell Transplant 7/06 - 9/06
    December 07 AFP = 3.3
    December 07 CT = Clear!

    15+ months remission

    Comment

    • #3
      Neon:
      Don't get too excited. Cancer shouldn't be assumed until the number is around 25. Keep an eye on it but tccancercop is right, it just might be the lab.
      Son Jason diagnosed 4/30/04, stage III. Right I/O 4/30/04. Graduated College 5/13/04. 4XEP 6/7/04 - 8/13/04. Full open RPLND 10/13/04. All Clear since.

      Treated by Dr. Rakowski of Midland Park, NJ. Visited Sloan Kettering for protocol advice. RPLND done at Sloan Kettering.

      Comment

      • #4
        neon, certainly do your due diligence and follow-up promptly. dadmo is right and it could be a lab error or just your liver producing some extra AFP. i'm in the same boat as you - when i was diagnosed my AFP was only slightly elevated (16) and my HCG was normal. it's something to watch but don't fret and stay positive as much as you can.
        Age 33, Right I/O Mar '05, 90% embryonal, 10% teratocarcinoma, Surv until 4 mo CT (+), 3 x BEP Aug/Sep '05, CT 10/05 ok, CT 2/06 ok, CT 3/06 ok, CT 6/06 ok, X-Ray, Blood 8/06 ok, Sperm Count 09/06: Low but active, CT 10/06 ok, X-ray 12/06 ok, CT 02/07 ok, X-ray/blood 4/07 ok, CT 6/07 ok, X-ray/blood 09/07, CT 10/07 ok, CT 4/08 ok, CT 10/08 ok

        LAST NIGHT I DREAMT 1000 LIES
        I CAN SEE THE DAWN
        THROUGH A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES

        Comment

        • #5
          Apache,
          Yes, I'm trying not to worry. Its just my AFP at diagnosis was even lower than yours! I had just hoped after two years that it was all behind me now. Good thing I kept this site bookmarked and remembered my password! I was glued on this site back then, I didn't post much, but I took alot of notes and inspiration.
          Is that unusual for a reoccurence to happen where the AFP rises, but HGC stays normal?
          __________________________________________
          Left I/O Aug 06 2004 - Dr. Vitas / Rockledge FL
          RPLND Oct 14 2004 - Dr. Foster / Indianapolis IND
          Seminoma & Embryonal Cell Carcinoma mixed
          Stage IIa

          Comment

          • #6
            AFP up and down

            My AFP rose to 5.6 four months ago. Now is 4.1. Calm down. I'm sure there are no cancer.
            2005-03
            Stage III EC 85% + Sem 15%
            AFP=2.6; HCG=10, 20,28 and rising
            FULL CAT scan:
            -abdominal lymph clear
            -subpleural lungs metastasis [bipulmonary lesions with diam <= 1cm]
            4 x BEP changed to 3 x BEP at my request
            from 2005-05....Surveillance

            Comment

            • #7
              it's not that unusual. your pathology would typically mean that HCG from seminoma and AFP from embryonal would be rising but sometimes the markers will not elevate even if there is active cancer cells. that's why I don't pay too much attention to normal markers, even though I make sure to get them checked every couple months. using both the markers and x-rays, CT's etc is how I check, as well as my mental and physical state of mind.
              Age 33, Right I/O Mar '05, 90% embryonal, 10% teratocarcinoma, Surv until 4 mo CT (+), 3 x BEP Aug/Sep '05, CT 10/05 ok, CT 2/06 ok, CT 3/06 ok, CT 6/06 ok, X-Ray, Blood 8/06 ok, Sperm Count 09/06: Low but active, CT 10/06 ok, X-ray 12/06 ok, CT 02/07 ok, X-ray/blood 4/07 ok, CT 6/07 ok, X-ray/blood 09/07, CT 10/07 ok, CT 4/08 ok, CT 10/08 ok

              LAST NIGHT I DREAMT 1000 LIES
              I CAN SEE THE DAWN
              THROUGH A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES

              Comment

              • #8
                Anything below 6.1 is in the normal range..My afp has risen to over 10 at times and always been beck to normal at the following test!!!!! If you ask other Experts such as Indiana University,Sloan,ETC. they consider anything under 15 for afp high... I know its hard not to worry but try not to... If it was a reoccurence of non-seminoma then generally your afp would sky-rocket real fast..Best of Luck!!!!!! DON
                Moffitt Cancer Institute
                CANCER SUCKS
                Diagnosed/Left I/O 9/18/2004--Non-Seminoma/Stage IIIC--3X B.E.P chemo--3X T.I.P. Salvage chemo---Abdominal [email protected] 34cmX 24.5cmX 17.5cm---4/19/2005 --RPLND/Left Kidney,8 1/2lb Abdominal tumor,42 nodes removed---7/16/2005 Remission/Surveillance---Severe Peripheral Neuropathy--

                Comment

                • #9
                  What part of FLORIDA do live in neon!!!!!!!
                  Moffitt Cancer Institute
                  CANCER SUCKS
                  Diagnosed/Left I/O 9/18/2004--Non-Seminoma/Stage IIIC--3X B.E.P chemo--3X T.I.P. Salvage chemo---Abdominal [email protected] 34cmX 24.5cmX 17.5cm---4/19/2005 --RPLND/Left Kidney,8 1/2lb Abdominal tumor,42 nodes removed---7/16/2005 Remission/Surveillance---Severe Peripheral Neuropathy--

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Don,
                    I'm in Merritt Island - 15 year veteran of the Space Shuttle Program.
                    I emailed Dr. Foster in Indiana about my results. He says it isn't uncommon for the numbers to flucuate slightly above normal sometimes, and to just keep an eye on it. My oncologist is putting me back on monthly blood tests, and my chest xray from 2 weeks ago came back normal. If they continue to rise, I'll have a PET scan. The PET scan I had right before my RPLND showed nothing, even though I had 1 lymph node involved.
                    I starged Androgel yesterday, 5mg dose. Holy cow, I feel like a new man already! Side effects are a slight coffee like jitter, my hypoglycemia is back (it disappeared after my testosterone ended up in a Petri dish). But I can deal with that as long as I snack alot. Also, it has a nice "boing" effect on other parts of the body...lol.
                    __________________________________________
                    Left I/O Aug 06 2004 - Dr. Vitas / Rockledge FL
                    RPLND Oct 14 2004 - Dr. Foster / Indianapolis IND
                    Seminoma & Embryonal Cell Carcinoma mixed
                    Stage IIa

                    Comment

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