CEA

marqimark
marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I read a few posts about CEA and I assume that it is the blood marker for CRC. I also realise that NED is a good thing- does it mean No Evidence of Cancer

I don't know my baseline number taken in November, nor my number from my first screening in April.
The onc said the colonoscopy and blood work looked good so far.
He never even used the term CEA.
No more colonoscopy for three years. yah!
I never had the CEA work-up until after chemo ended.
Was this because I was only 3c (mets to only four nodes)?
I wonder if it is better for me not to know the numbers, unless they really go south and I need a CT scan?
Get my next labs done in two weeks. I am positive all will be well


Thanks

Mark

Comments

  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #2
    Dear Mark
    I would rather I never know what is CEA, at least I only need to worry about her white blood count or platelet problems.

    My oncologist didn't mention anything about it at the beginning until I brought it up. He did tell me it's only an indicator and sometimes cannot be trusted. I guess I took it too seriously personally.

    Best wishes,
    Dora
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #3
    I am stage 3C too Mark. My
    I am stage 3C too Mark. My CEA was 3 after my resection in sept and 6 weeks ago...after finishing 6 months of chemo..my CEA is 7.8. why, we dont know, my colonoscopy is clear, my pet scan is clear. I had the cea repeated yesterday but dont know the results yet.
    I dont really understand it in depth either. yours must be good, ask him. I believe under 3 is good.
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #4
    BettyJoM said:

    I am stage 3C too Mark. My
    I am stage 3C too Mark. My CEA was 3 after my resection in sept and 6 weeks ago...after finishing 6 months of chemo..my CEA is 7.8. why, we dont know, my colonoscopy is clear, my pet scan is clear. I had the cea repeated yesterday but dont know the results yet.
    I dont really understand it in depth either. yours must be good, ask him. I believe under 3 is good.

    My CEA went from 8-somthing,
    My CEA went from 8-somthing, to 3.6, 3.4, then today if increased to 9.7 (after 5 rounds of folfox-avastin). I am sick about this, but what Lisa explained about the tumors dying and releasing CEA into the blood stream, is about what the PA said he has seen with some people. So...scans next week to see what's going on. Thanks everyone for sharing.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    janie1 said:

    My CEA went from 8-somthing,
    My CEA went from 8-somthing, to 3.6, 3.4, then today if increased to 9.7 (after 5 rounds of folfox-avastin). I am sick about this, but what Lisa explained about the tumors dying and releasing CEA into the blood stream, is about what the PA said he has seen with some people. So...scans next week to see what's going on. Thanks everyone for sharing.

    Chemo
    Chemo will sometimes increase the CEA level as well. Mine never really went up but it did go up slightly while on chemo. It's not always very realiable so don't base your numbers on anything going on. Good luck on your scans next week.

    Kim

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