CEA Questions.... Confused about it
Jennie
Comments
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Jennie,
Carcinoembryonic
Jennie,
Carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA is used as a marker to measure cancer activity in the body. It is not necessarily accurate, and some people show no levels of CEA even when
there is full blown cancer going on. Mine were level from the time I was first diagnosed til I was NED. Most Docs don't take much stock in the levels, only if they should really change significantly. The fact that your levels are the same or somewhat less certainly is a good sign. Just don't ever get too worried if your levels vary from time to time. Other things can also change your levels- smoking, certain foods, even stress. Hope this helps,
Carl0 -
CEA
Frank's CEA results (after liver resection and lung resection) on July 7/2009 was 39.6. Four weeks easier it was 226.1 and before liver resection it got as high as over 16 thousand. Someone told us it was suppose to be 5 for a smoker. 39.6 is the lowest Frank's has ever been since we found out he had cancer 8/2006. On Aug 26, it will be three years since diagnosis. They told him he only had two years if he had chemo when he first found out. He has beaten that made it another year and still counting on alot more years. Your CEA is going down ...that sounds fantstic. We will keep praying.
Hugs,
Anna0 -
CEA
My first CEA level was 5 months into chemo. The colorectal surgeon at Mayo did it along with CT scan and other tests in preparation for colostomy take down. I can't remember the number- she said it was normal, but elevated. Then my onc here in Mpls said he never does CEA when one is undergoing chemo, that the numbers are not reliable. In the meantime my next CEA was in April and didn't even register, it was like a .05 or something equally low. I think that numbers that are coming down are always good, but the usefulness of this test varies on who you ask!0 -
How long does it take?Patteee said:CEA
My first CEA level was 5 months into chemo. The colorectal surgeon at Mayo did it along with CT scan and other tests in preparation for colostomy take down. I can't remember the number- she said it was normal, but elevated. Then my onc here in Mpls said he never does CEA when one is undergoing chemo, that the numbers are not reliable. In the meantime my next CEA was in April and didn't even register, it was like a .05 or something equally low. I think that numbers that are coming down are always good, but the usefulness of this test varies on who you ask!
The CEA is sent out of office along with other chem tests and your doctor might have the results back the next day or several days later. My onc always has my chems back by disconnect day but has called me the day after chemo when I needed to up my potassium.
Diane0
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