Increased CEA level.

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CessnaFlyer
CessnaFlyer Member Posts: 110
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm receiving chemo and in the past 6-months my CEA level has gone from 1.9 to 2.1 and is now 2.8. I know this is still within normal, but I'm concerned that it keeps going up. Should I be worried?

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
    Options
    watch it but don't worry
    Hi,

    I'm sure you've heard before that there is some natural fluctuation of CEA and that is normal. It's still pretty low. If you're a smoker or African American, I believe the "normal" limit is higher than 2.5 (I think possibly up to 5, but not sure on that). I don't think you fit into either of those categories, but didn't remember for sure.
    Do you know if CEA has been an accurate predictor of cancerous activity for you or not? It is for some, but is not for everyone. You would only know that by watching over time how it correlates to scans, if CEA dropped down in the past when cancerous tumors decreased while under treatment, etc. Also, sometimes the CEA can temporarily rise while cancer cells are being killed from chemo. I believe this is called cell apoptosis (sp?).
    Apparently, when the cancer cell dies, it gives off CEA into the bloodstream, which temporarily makes the measured CEA level rise. I would just watch itfor now, but watch it monthly (I even persuaded my onc in the past to test every 2 wks during a time period I was concerned with mine rising). Let your onc know it's a concern & if you're just testing it every three months, see if he/she will agree to test it at least monthly to watch what it's doing. Even if he/she isn't concerned about CEA, I'd think they would do that for you, even if only to give you peace of mind (which is definitely worth a lot). I know several people here have said their oncs did not watch or care about their CEA much at all. But, I would hope that they would care enough to test you. If insurance pays for it with your bloodwork, I would certainly see no harm in getting it tested a bit sooner next time.
    Hopefully, it will be nothing and will just be part of the normal fluctuation of CEA levels. I've heard that illnesses and infections can make it temporarily rise. Have you been sick or had any kind of infection lately? I even wonder if stress can make it go up, although I've actually never heard that. Something to think about. Hope it's just from the chemo killing off the cancer cells,or from stress or a recent illness. I don't know that technically such a small rise really could be considered a real "rise". Just watch it.

    Stay strong!

    Lisa
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #3
    Options
    Fluctuations
    Cessna,

    I went and reviewed my CEA for the past 6 months and you can see that it has gone up and down during that time. My CEA has jumped more than yours during that period and then came down again. While it was nerve-wracking during those couple higher numbers in December I just tried to remember that the numbers will jump up and down, especially during chemotherapy. My last chemo was 11/2.

    Hopefully this is some reassurance for you...

    02/22/2010 2.1 ng/ml
    02/08/2010 2.2 ng/ml
    01/25/2010 2.3 ng/ml
    01/11/2010 2.8 ng/ml
    12/28/2009 2.8 ng/ml
    12/14/2009 3.2 ng/ml
    12/02/2009 3.2 ng/ml
    11/18/2009 2.5 ng/ml
    11/02/2009 2.2 ng/ml
    10/26/2009 2.2 ng/ml
    10/12/2009 2.2 ng/ml
    10/05/2009 2.5 ng/ml
    09/28/2009 2.5 ng/ml
    09/14/2009 2.1 ng/ml
    08/31/2009 2.4 ng/ml
    08/24/2009 2.6 ng/ml
    08/17/2009 2.7 ng/ml
    08/03/2009 2.2 ng/ml
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #4
    Options
    No
    No you should not worry,just keep track of it.My cea doubled the second time,was still within normal,the third time it dropped to half.As long as it's within normal range I think your ok.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #5
    Options
    CEA


    When cancer cells die, they expell CEA. So if your CEA rises
    during or shortly after therapy, it could very well be a good sign
    you're looking at.

    Stop worrying and enjoy today!
  • CessnaFlyer
    CessnaFlyer Member Posts: 110
    #6
    Options
    John23 said:

    CEA


    When cancer cells die, they expell CEA. So if your CEA rises
    during or shortly after therapy, it could very well be a good sign
    you're looking at.

    Stop worrying and enjoy today!

    Thank you everyone. You guys are the best.
    I am super greatful to those of you who took the time to respond to my question. The information you provided me was very helpful and I known that it took a lot of time and effort for you to do so. I followed the advice many of you gave me, such as relaxing and talking to my doctor about the elevated CEA levels. In his words, normal is normal and since it's still normal there is nothing to worry about. Also, as some of you pointed out, he said their are a lot of things that can cause CEA levals to rise. So, I'm feeling better, thanks to the suggestions and information you guys offered. Like I said before, you're the best.
  • papajedi
    papajedi Member Posts: 110
    #7
    Options
    CessnaFlyer said:

    Thank you everyone. You guys are the best.
    I am super greatful to those of you who took the time to respond to my question. The information you provided me was very helpful and I known that it took a lot of time and effort for you to do so. I followed the advice many of you gave me, such as relaxing and talking to my doctor about the elevated CEA levels. In his words, normal is normal and since it's still normal there is nothing to worry about. Also, as some of you pointed out, he said their are a lot of things that can cause CEA levals to rise. So, I'm feeling better, thanks to the suggestions and information you guys offered. Like I said before, you're the best.

    It's OK
    Still way low......:) I know the stress tho.................love the cessna, use to fly a 152
  • papajedi
    papajedi Member Posts: 110
    #8
    Options
    lisa42 said:

    watch it but don't worry
    Hi,

    I'm sure you've heard before that there is some natural fluctuation of CEA and that is normal. It's still pretty low. If you're a smoker or African American, I believe the "normal" limit is higher than 2.5 (I think possibly up to 5, but not sure on that). I don't think you fit into either of those categories, but didn't remember for sure.
    Do you know if CEA has been an accurate predictor of cancerous activity for you or not? It is for some, but is not for everyone. You would only know that by watching over time how it correlates to scans, if CEA dropped down in the past when cancerous tumors decreased while under treatment, etc. Also, sometimes the CEA can temporarily rise while cancer cells are being killed from chemo. I believe this is called cell apoptosis (sp?).
    Apparently, when the cancer cell dies, it gives off CEA into the bloodstream, which temporarily makes the measured CEA level rise. I would just watch itfor now, but watch it monthly (I even persuaded my onc in the past to test every 2 wks during a time period I was concerned with mine rising). Let your onc know it's a concern & if you're just testing it every three months, see if he/she will agree to test it at least monthly to watch what it's doing. Even if he/she isn't concerned about CEA, I'd think they would do that for you, even if only to give you peace of mind (which is definitely worth a lot). I know several people here have said their oncs did not watch or care about their CEA much at all. But, I would hope that they would care enough to test you. If insurance pays for it with your bloodwork, I would certainly see no harm in getting it tested a bit sooner next time.
    Hopefully, it will be nothing and will just be part of the normal fluctuation of CEA levels. I've heard that illnesses and infections can make it temporarily rise. Have you been sick or had any kind of infection lately? I even wonder if stress can make it go up, although I've actually never heard that. Something to think about. Hope it's just from the chemo killing off the cancer cells,or from stress or a recent illness. I don't know that technically such a small rise really could be considered a real "rise". Just watch it.

    Stay strong!

    Lisa

    Hi Lisa
    I think of you often, you are seriously in my prayers!!!
  • Chen Yimi
    Chen Yimi Member Posts: 2
    #9
    Options
    John23 said:

    CEA


    When cancer cells die, they expell CEA. So if your CEA rises
    during or shortly after therapy, it could very well be a good sign
    you're looking at.

    Stop worrying and enjoy today!

    Could you give me official info about dying cancer cell expell..
    Could you give me official info about dying cancer cell expell cea?

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