Elevated CEA

dee42

Hi everyone...I haven't posted in quite awhile, however, I do read the posts daily....Brief hist: My 77 y/o mom, originally dx'ed cc in 03, has had 3 recurrences every year, same location (at resection site). Last year was the first year she had a clear colonoscopy (7/07) and she's been feeling well in which we've been very grateful and relieved..However, at her last labs last week, her onc called yesterday and told her that her CEA level was a bit elevated...don't know the numbers yet. With previous dx and recurrences, CEA level always remained the same...never up, and recurrence was always found by symptoms and ultimately colonoscopy. Her onc feels since her CEA levels have never been a good marker or indication of recurrence, he's not too worried about it, but wants to re-do labs in 3wks...My mom's not really worried about it either, rather more concerned about my aunt (her sister) who's having kidney RFA on Thurs...I guess with all that's going on and has gone on, I'm getting a bit worried....Anyone had same/similar experiences w/CEA levels? I guess I'm needing some advice & support right now.

Dee

pamness

I haven't had the same experience. However, my CEA level is always about 3.4, from what I am told, 3.7 and below is considered normal. When I asked why mine was 3.4 and other people's might be 1.0 and they are not concerned I have learned that CEA levels are a very individual thing, with some people it is a good indicator for others it is not. In an age where everything has to be checked out (face it scans, MRI's show all sorts of junk that mean nothing), CEA is just another thing to watch. If your Mom's hasn't been a great indicator in the past, it may well not be now. Wait the three weeks and go back. When I asked my oncologist what would happen if my CEA went above 3.7 he said "we would just move your 6 month scan up. It isn't a consistent indicator."
Best of luck, but hopefully this is just a little blip.

vinny3

It really is individual. It sometimes depends upon how much of a rise it is. However, there are many things which can cause the CEA to go up that are not cancer. Find out the numbers but it is best to relax and recheck. The waiting is the hard part.

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