Rising CEA??

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mcgivarenfaith
mcgivarenfaith Member Posts: 40
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Matt's been on maintaneance chemo for about 3 months after his colon resection.
His CEA has been btwn 1.5-1.8. Today we received his latest bloodwork back and his CEA was 2.3.... It is freaking me out.
I know the normal range is btwn 0-5, but when it starts to rise what could that be????
Thanks for any information..
Jennifer

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  • here4lfe
    here4lfe Member Posts: 306 Member
    #2
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    What does the Oncologist Say
    My wife's CEA has been a very good predictor of progression for her. But everyone is different. I say ask the oncologist, and see what they say.

    Best
  • mcgivarenfaith
    mcgivarenfaith Member Posts: 40
    #3
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    here4lfe said:

    What does the Oncologist Say
    My wife's CEA has been a very good predictor of progression for her. But everyone is different. I say ask the oncologist, and see what they say.

    Best

    We just picked up the report
    We just picked up the report from the front desk, we are not scheduled to see Dr until month end.
  • here4lfe
    here4lfe Member Posts: 306 Member
    #4
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    mcgivarenfaith said:

    We just picked up the report
    We just picked up the report from the front desk, we are not scheduled to see Dr until month end.

    I will share our experience. Keep in mind that everyones disease is different.

    In our experience, whenever the CEA started to rise, even a little, it indicated progression of the disease.

    Your husbands numbers are still low. My wife's oncologist didn't kick into high gear until it hit 7.3, but it went from 3.6 to 7.3 in 2 weeks! Now that freaked is all out.

    My advice as a caregiver is to be calm, but diligent about discussing the significance of the CEA for your husband.

    FWIW, my wife's CEA jumped to over 400. She is on her second line treatment, Xeloda, Irinotecan, Avastin. She goes for her third treatment next week, and we are praying the CEA falls.

    Best

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