CEA levels

Berri
Berri Member Posts: 7 Member
I am 11 years out from having anal cancer and every 6 months when I get my tumor markers checked my CEA has always been up and down, but above the normal.... it goes from 3.3 to 4.3 to 5.2 and down to 4.2, now it's 5.7. Pet scan clear last year... just went for CT. Does anyone else have fluctuating CEA levels?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Hi Berri
    My CEA levels have always been within normal range and I'm approaching the 3-year post-treatment mark. However, my understanding of the CEA test (carcinoembryonic antigen) is that it really is not used as an indicator of anal cancer. Rather, it is a useful test for diagnosing cancers in the colon and liver (and most likely others). My med onc ran the test on me a few times, I guess to check for any other types of cancer lurking inside of me.
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    mp327 said:

    Hi Berri
    My CEA levels have always been within normal range and I'm approaching the 3-year post-treatment mark. However, my understanding of the CEA test (carcinoembryonic antigen) is that it really is not used as an indicator of anal cancer. Rather, it is a useful test for diagnosing cancers in the colon and liver (and most likely others). My med onc ran the test on me a few times, I guess to check for any other types of cancer lurking inside of me.

    Same here MP.My doctor told
    Same here MP.My doctor told me the CEA test is not used for anal cancer....Hugs..alyse
  • Berri
    Berri Member Posts: 7 Member
    mp327 said:

    Hi Berri
    My CEA levels have always been within normal range and I'm approaching the 3-year post-treatment mark. However, my understanding of the CEA test (carcinoembryonic antigen) is that it really is not used as an indicator of anal cancer. Rather, it is a useful test for diagnosing cancers in the colon and liver (and most likely others). My med onc ran the test on me a few times, I guess to check for any other types of cancer lurking inside of me.

    Thank you... my CT scan was
    Thank you... my CT scan was clear.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Berri said:

    Thank you... my CT scan was
    Thank you... my CT scan was clear.

    Congratulations!
    Great news! Thanks for sharing it with us!
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    Berri said:

    Thank you... my CT scan was
    Thank you... my CT scan was clear.

    Congratulations!
    Congratulations on your clear scan!

    I've never had my CEA levels tested (not that I know of). Is it something most of you have had done? Just wondering...
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    RoseC said:

    Congratulations!
    Congratulations on your clear scan!

    I've never had my CEA levels tested (not that I know of). Is it something most of you have had done? Just wondering...

    CEA
    I don't recall any information about cea levels. Congratulations on your clear CT. The 11 years really gives everyone a lot of hope that they will be clear at 11 years also. Thank you for sharing. Lori