Inhibin B level

Hi, been on the board for awhile, blood levels for Inhibin B have been lower than the norm of 15ng.

Received a call today from doctors office about last blood level drawn 10/27/08 is now 70.

 I asked what does this mean and the woman on the phone told me 'it means its back'

I am going to be 12 months out from surgery 12/28/08

They dont seem in the least bit concerned, I asked whats next, well all I have to do is have another blood test in November then they will decide from there, possibly chemo, possibly a scan . . . anyone else out there in my shoes with GCT??

Hi, I don't think you can draw any conclusions from a single elevated result. Do you have a remaining ovary? If so, variations in InhB are normal. It could also be a false reading, bad draw, lab mistake, etc. The thing to look for is a trend so you'll want another reading in 3 or 4 weeks. If it continues to rise, then you know that it has returned. The question then becomes, when do you do the CT scan? The answer depends on your history and physiology, and probably some guess work. IMO you wouldn't want to jump into chemo without knowing whether the tumor is operable. Surgery is preferable to chemo or radiation. Take care John

 

On 11/11/2008 johnsc wrote:

Hi, I don't think you can draw any conclusions from a single elevated result. Do you have a remaining ovary? If so, variations in InhB are normal. It could also be a false reading, bad draw, lab mistake, etc. The thing to look for is a trend so you'll want another reading in 3 or 4 weeks. If it continues to rise, then you know that it has returned. The question then becomes, when do you do the CT scan? The answer depends on your history and physiology, and probably some guess work. IMO you wouldn't want to jump into chemo without knowing whether the tumor is operable. Surgery is preferable to chemo or radiation. Take care John

Hi John.  you seem to know this cancer.  Have you known anyone to die froM GCT?  I'm 51 yrs old and I'm wonderin if i should sell everything, rent a big van and travel around until it hits again.... You know?!  :0)    Suz