Need a little help please.......

Jaylo969
Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Originally Dx'd Stage II A/B, Resection of right colon, 6 months chemo. 3 1/2 yrs. out from surgery; 3 yrs. out from chemo. CEA before and after surgery has always been in the 4's. Pet scan last Sept....clear. Cea today 5.6. Pet scan ordered for Thursday 28th.

 

My question, could the pneumonia and sinus infection I had from middle January - mid Feb ( and still haven't bounced back) have skewed my CEA results? Could severe osteoarthritis skew it? Am I grabbing at straws?

I left the Oncs office with an assurance that all of my bloodwork looked good but the CEA wasn't back yet. Had an appointment to come back in 6 months.Got home, phone rang...and,WAAAAAA!

Truth be known I have felt like crap for several months, knew something might be wrong but tried not to focus on cancer.

Anyone else have this happen and what was the outcome? Don't mind telling you that I am a little freaked. The imagination is a terrible monster at times like these.

-Pat

 

Comments

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #2
    I am thinking that the
    I am thinking that the pneumonia could be a factor but I am not sure. Try not to worry. I do think it's important to listen to your body. You could be feeling like crap for many non cancer related issues. Put the situation out of your mind. The results of the pet will tell what's going on. I think you're fine. Don't drive yourself crazy. Please keep us updated.

    Chelsea
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #3
    Chelsea71 said:

    I am thinking that the
    I am thinking that the pneumonia could be a factor but I am not sure. Try not to worry. I do think it's important to listen to your body. You could be feeling like crap for many non cancer related issues. Put the situation out of your mind. The results of the pet will tell what's going on. I think you're fine. Don't drive yourself crazy. Please keep us updated.

    Chelsea

    Since COPD may elevate CEA perhaps pneumonia,tho

    obviously nothing compared to COPD but a temporary lung problem nonetheless(with potential to scar lungs) can influence CEA as well....

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #4
    Hmmmmmmmm

    I didn't see any mention of COPD in the op. Did I miss something? Two people in my family have COPD and it's not just pneumonia but a life threatening disease/ condition. They are siblings whose parents smoked in the home and car. 

    Re your CEA.  What is your lab's high normal for a female non-smoker?  My lab has a high normal of 3.9.  Many have high normals of 2.5. A CEA of over 4 for 3 1/2 years is something I'd question.  You most probably can find a webpage for your lab which will show the values for each lab test.

    MANY things can cause an elevated CEA.  In fact, SamT who is a chemist does his own test using Siemen's and said two tests from the same vial of blood will fluctuate by .5 EVERY time.  There is an error range of up to 10%, if I remember correctly.  

    A PET scan will ease you mind.  If something has popped up, better to quickly get it out of there and continue on your journey to CURED! 

    I'll be watching for an update and hope to see great news. 

     

  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #5
    PatchAdams said:

    Hmmmmmmmm

    I didn't see any mention of COPD in the op. Did I miss something? Two people in my family have COPD and it's not just pneumonia but a life threatening disease/ condition. They are siblings whose parents smoked in the home and car. 

    Re your CEA.  What is your lab's high normal for a female non-smoker?  My lab has a high normal of 3.9.  Many have high normals of 2.5. A CEA of over 4 for 3 1/2 years is something I'd question.  You most probably can find a webpage for your lab which will show the values for each lab test.

    MANY things can cause an elevated CEA.  In fact, SamT who is a chemist does his own test using Siemen's and said two tests from the same vial of blood will fluctuate by .5 EVERY time.  There is an error range of up to 10%, if I remember correctly.  

    A PET scan will ease you mind.  If something has popped up, better to quickly get it out of there and continue on your journey to CURED! 

    I'll be watching for an update and hope to see great news. 

     

    COPD

    Patch...I don't have COPD. I think Steve-colocan was speaking of his situation.

    Thanks everyone. I hope we will be able to call this little set back "Pneumonia related".

    -Pat

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #6
    Jaylo969 said:

    COPD

    Patch...I don't have COPD. I think Steve-colocan was speaking of his situation.

    Thanks everyone. I hope we will be able to call this little set back "Pneumonia related".

    -Pat

    What i meant was (and i've had pneumonia and have COPD,

    among other stuff)is that if COPD does in fact affect CEA in some people,perhaps pneumonia can as well...If my reference is wrong on COPD and CEA,sorry

    http://coloncancer.about.com/od/screening/a/Carcinoembryonic-Antigen-Cea.htm

    (paragraph above "Follow Up Tests")

    steve

     

     

     

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #7
    Not sure if I'm reading this right,

    but it looks like your CEA has always been low?  Does your doc think that CEA is a good indicator for you?  As I'm sure you know, it doesn't reflect cancer activity accurately for a lot of people...hopefully this will be the case for you, and this recent small increase won't be meaningful (except in a good way-NO cancer!).  Keep us posted~Ann Alexandria

  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #8
    annalexandria said:

    Not sure if I'm reading this right,

    but it looks like your CEA has always been low?  Does your doc think that CEA is a good indicator for you?  As I'm sure you know, it doesn't reflect cancer activity accurately for a lot of people...hopefully this will be the case for you, and this recent small increase won't be meaningful (except in a good way-NO cancer!).  Keep us posted~Ann Alexandria

    Ann

    My CEA has ALWAYS been below 5. My 1st recorded CEA was 4.8 and it has stayed in the 4's for 3 1/2 yrs. Doc always said she wasn't concerned with it. Then on Friday it was 5.6 and she has ordered a PET. I was very sick back in Jan. & Feb. w/ flu, then pneumonia & sinus infection. and still have lingering effects such as cough & fatigue. I guess I am just trying to convince myself that infection is what has caused the sudden rise in CEA. I had a PET/CT 6 months ago so I guess if it IS anything we will be catching it early.

    -Pat

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #9
    Oncologists should look at

    Oncologists should look at multiple cancer markers.  At first my oncologist was just watching my h5IAA protein.   Then my CEA was reviewed and it was 1125!  They looked for a tumor and easily found it.   Now my CEA is around 2 and I have multiple tumors. Bottom line multile markers need to be watched for posible tumor growth.   Also, One needs to be active in their own treatment!  It is in your best interest to have a good diet, exercise, adding supplements, and maintaining good mental health.

     

    Best Always,  mike

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