i was told my cancer marker is 3500 ...stage 4 liver n bowel...is the terminal? what does it mean? what should it be?
i was told my cancer marker is 3500 ...stage 4 liver n bowel...is the terminal? what does it mean? what should it be?
Hello and thank you for your post,
I am sorry to learn of your situation this must be a difficult time.
I was unsure of your exact situation and which marker you were referring to that is high. There are different markers that the doctors will look at and these can help doctors plan treatment, monitor how well treatment is working, and check if the cancer has come back.
When a cancer has spread to another part of the body, such as the liver, it can be more tricky to treat, and often the aim of the treatment will be to slow down the growth of the cancer and treat any symptoms. This will depend on several things, how much of the liver has been affected, has the cancer spread elsewhere, how well a person is generally, and whether they have any other health conditions.
As a cancer information nurse not involved in your care, I cannot say what your situation is and how advanced your cancer is. This is something only the team at the hospital can confirm with you as they know your situation. It might be worth contacting your colorectal nurse specialist (CNS) and asking them what this means for you, what the treatment plan is, and what the aim of the treatment is.
I do hope you get some clarification soon. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
Take care, all the best
Jemma