How high can cea levels go?
Comments
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levels
My onc nurse told me she has seen them in the thousands. It is a measure of the enzymes that cancer cells are putting out. Mine was only 7 when I had my large tumor, and now it stays around 3 to 4, for some people CEA is a better indicator than others. There are other environmental factors that can affect it also, smoking, second hand smoke, and so on. Good luck with your research.
Pam0 -
PamPamPam2 said:levels
My onc nurse told me she has seen them in the thousands. It is a measure of the enzymes that cancer cells are putting out. Mine was only 7 when I had my large tumor, and now it stays around 3 to 4, for some people CEA is a better indicator than others. There are other environmental factors that can affect it also, smoking, second hand smoke, and so on. Good luck with your research.
Pam
Are you still in treatment? I see where it came back, wasn't sure if your out of treatment now or still in chemo? Thanks for the quick reply... My cea was 15 before any surgery just finding out I had it, then after colon resection but before chemo it jumped to 89.8,I have liver tumors that grew during that time.After 2 chemo treatments back down to 21.8 not sure if that is good havent talked to Onc. yet about it. Chemo nurse gave me the numbers. Sundance seems to think that is good and he seems really know his stuff. Any ideas? Thanks, Patti0 -
ceaittapp said:Pam
Are you still in treatment? I see where it came back, wasn't sure if your out of treatment now or still in chemo? Thanks for the quick reply... My cea was 15 before any surgery just finding out I had it, then after colon resection but before chemo it jumped to 89.8,I have liver tumors that grew during that time.After 2 chemo treatments back down to 21.8 not sure if that is good havent talked to Onc. yet about it. Chemo nurse gave me the numbers. Sundance seems to think that is good and he seems really know his stuff. Any ideas? Thanks, Patti
Hi Patti
I am out of treatment now. Was stage 4, tumor grew out of colon, into overy and lymph nodes. Keeping an eye on lesion on liver, it is not showing any activity or growth at this time. It is a good sign that yours is getting lower, the chemo must be slowing down/killing the cancer cells. From what I understand, the cancer enzyme activity level is the enzymes that growing and active cancer cells secrete, so it sounds like yours is slowing down or dying off. It sounds like the chemo is doing it's job for you. Hope your levels continue to drop, and the liver tumors die off or shrink enough for other treatments to get rid of them. I am nearing my 5 year mark from when this all started, and am very thankful to be here. It has been quite a journey, and I am still closely monitored, but I think it has all been worth it. I will be glad to offer anything I have learned. Best Hopes for you and your family.
Pam0 -
cea countsPamPam2 said:cea
Hi Patti
I am out of treatment now. Was stage 4, tumor grew out of colon, into overy and lymph nodes. Keeping an eye on lesion on liver, it is not showing any activity or growth at this time. It is a good sign that yours is getting lower, the chemo must be slowing down/killing the cancer cells. From what I understand, the cancer enzyme activity level is the enzymes that growing and active cancer cells secrete, so it sounds like yours is slowing down or dying off. It sounds like the chemo is doing it's job for you. Hope your levels continue to drop, and the liver tumors die off or shrink enough for other treatments to get rid of them. I am nearing my 5 year mark from when this all started, and am very thankful to be here. It has been quite a journey, and I am still closely monitored, but I think it has all been worth it. I will be glad to offer anything I have learned. Best Hopes for you and your family.
Pam
When I first diagnosed my cea was 333 because of liver involvement. I thought that was through the roof until I talked to a guy who I see in the oncologists office who said his was 1300 and have seen posts on here of people in the 6000`s. Phillieg says his never got above 10 even though he has liver and lung metastisis so I don`t know if cea is a good indicator or not. I do know that cea going down is a good sign though.
Eric ( : . )0 -
CEA level
Hi,
I'm a newbie here but I've been lurking.... these post have really given me hope.
My cea level was 7000 in Feb. so I guess I win the highest count - damn
after 12 rounds of chemo - once every two weeks - no surgery yet - my count is 1750.
I am stage 4 - it's all over the liver and one tumor on the colon.
The tumors are skinking with chemo, just got scan results back today.
Next stop IU Med Center in Indianapolis.
Tina0 -
Welcome Tinatdatnd said:CEA level
Hi,
I'm a newbie here but I've been lurking.... these post have really given me hope.
My cea level was 7000 in Feb. so I guess I win the highest count - damn
after 12 rounds of chemo - once every two weeks - no surgery yet - my count is 1750.
I am stage 4 - it's all over the liver and one tumor on the colon.
The tumors are skinking with chemo, just got scan results back today.
Next stop IU Med Center in Indianapolis.
Tina
Hi Tina, I am pretty new myself, I also am stage 4 with liver mets, I did have my colon resection on the 14 of May. I also have some in my stomach and in 7 lymphnodes. I hope that the number coming down is a good thing for both of us! Welcome to this site, the people are amazing and I get so much encouragment from the wonderful people on here. You should throw yourself in and ask anything, and I mean anything goes on here. I have had 3 Chemo treatments so far, just had my bag off today. What is your treatment? I am on Folfox with Avastan and the 46 hr. pump of 5fu. Write anytime I am always lurking myself! Patti0 -
Kinda newittapp said:Welcome Tina
Hi Tina, I am pretty new myself, I also am stage 4 with liver mets, I did have my colon resection on the 14 of May. I also have some in my stomach and in 7 lymphnodes. I hope that the number coming down is a good thing for both of us! Welcome to this site, the people are amazing and I get so much encouragment from the wonderful people on here. You should throw yourself in and ask anything, and I mean anything goes on here. I have had 3 Chemo treatments so far, just had my bag off today. What is your treatment? I am on Folfox with Avastan and the 46 hr. pump of 5fu. Write anytime I am always lurking myself! Patti
Hi Tina and Patti I am kinda new to this site I just joined a few days ago. My husband was diagnosed June 08 had 7lymph node involvement and 4 liver mets. all removed. and was on the same chemo as you are for 3 months then changed to folfuri for another 3 months. I wish you luck and all the prayers. Are you going to be able to have the liver mets reomoved? Keep in touch.
Fay0 -
My CEA levels
My CEA when diagnosed was over 250 (I think it was about 265) and everything I read indicated that anything over 10 always indicated metastatic cancer. Not sure if that is an absolute but it was the case in my situation. After treatment it started falling and prior to surgery it was in the 100's. After my liver surgery it basically halved itself every week to 2 weeks and is now 2.4 (at the last reading a month ago). I find out on Monday what it was the past 2 chemo sessions (my DR won't give the reading out unless I see her...drat!) and hopefully it has falled even more.
I have read of some people having CEA in the 20,000 range (which seemed impossible but apparently is possible).0 -
pegged the scalemom_2_3 said:My CEA levels
My CEA when diagnosed was over 250 (I think it was about 265) and everything I read indicated that anything over 10 always indicated metastatic cancer. Not sure if that is an absolute but it was the case in my situation. After treatment it started falling and prior to surgery it was in the 100's. After my liver surgery it basically halved itself every week to 2 weeks and is now 2.4 (at the last reading a month ago). I find out on Monday what it was the past 2 chemo sessions (my DR won't give the reading out unless I see her...drat!) and hopefully it has falled even more.
I have read of some people having CEA in the 20,000 range (which seemed impossible but apparently is possible).
When I was first diagnosed I maxed the scale. It came back as an error. After 1 treatment my level was 6800. It halved itself after every treatment. Before my first resection it was around 200. After surgery it got down to around 30. I've had a recent recurrence with a level around 90.0 -
how high can cea levels gosnommintj said:pegged the scale
When I was first diagnosed I maxed the scale. It came back as an error. After 1 treatment my level was 6800. It halved itself after every treatment. Before my first resection it was around 200. After surgery it got down to around 30. I've had a recent recurrence with a level around 90.
Sometimes cea markers are not indicators........mine was never over 3 when I had rectal cancer diagnoses and also later when I had a rectal cancer met to the lung.0 -
Mine was 20,007, just went
Mine was 20,007, just went to the Onc today and he gave me the latest results, he said I had a twentyfold drop, it is now down to 974. He seemed very pleased. Although he had to mention that they could not cure me, due to liver tumors, but that already things were easier. Oh well. But yes, there are those like me that are/were in the 20,000 range.0 -
I am not sureherdizziness said:Mine was 20,007, just went
Mine was 20,007, just went to the Onc today and he gave me the latest results, he said I had a twentyfold drop, it is now down to 974. He seemed very pleased. Although he had to mention that they could not cure me, due to liver tumors, but that already things were easier. Oh well. But yes, there are those like me that are/were in the 20,000 range.
but angels cea was never over 4 more like 2 or 3 but then he had so much cancer all over the place you would think it would of been so high, for angel that was not a good thing because the drs all thought he was doing well and it did not go like they thought.
michelle0 -
cea levelsPamPam2 said:cea
Hi Patti
I am out of treatment now. Was stage 4, tumor grew out of colon, into overy and lymph nodes. Keeping an eye on lesion on liver, it is not showing any activity or growth at this time. It is a good sign that yours is getting lower, the chemo must be slowing down/killing the cancer cells. From what I understand, the cancer enzyme activity level is the enzymes that growing and active cancer cells secrete, so it sounds like yours is slowing down or dying off. It sounds like the chemo is doing it's job for you. Hope your levels continue to drop, and the liver tumors die off or shrink enough for other treatments to get rid of them. I am nearing my 5 year mark from when this all started, and am very thankful to be here. It has been quite a journey, and I am still closely monitored, but I think it has all been worth it. I will be glad to offer anything I have learned. Best Hopes for you and your family.
Pam
My mom had surgery Easter 2009.Removed tumor in right side of intestines along with lymph nodes. Tunor had penetrated into stomach wall. Dont know what her 1st cea level was. Moms a retired nurse, very private and In denial to situation thinking what she doesn't know can't hurt her, or hurt us. Level after surgery was 8.3. She had 9 chemos until reaction set in. Then it went to 8.7, 8.9 latest in March was 11. My sister, brother and I to were wondering level numbers. Mom is tough, Had infection 4 days after being released from hospital.So back in for another week. Home doing chemo until Nov. when reaction set in. Stopped chemo. Dec.12 she was found unresponsive in morning rushed to hosp. In coma about 4 days, until antiboitics started to work. Icu a week, regular room 3 days then to nursing home connected to hosp. for 2 weeks. Home, pnumonia month ago hosp. for 4 days home again. We are just taking it one day at a time. Ever time the phone rings from my dad my 1st. reaction is my stomach drops. But all we can do is go on. Hearing the numbers from others has helped greatly. Thank you all0 -
Hello everyone
I was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer sept 2012. Went through chemo and radiation. Last treatment was in Dec 2012. In jan I was recommened to see a surgeon. I ended up seeing 4. All 4 of them recommended full removal of my prostate, rectum, and part of my colon. Then 6 months of heveay chemo.
I'm not sure what my CEA number was at diagnosis but I had blood work done last week. My blood was the best it's been since I started getting sick a year ago this time. My CEA was 2. I was really exited when I saw that. I haven't had any surgery and I denied any further chemo treatment or surgery.
Is 2 good or should it be 0? Does 2 mean you still have cancer cells and that eventaully the 2 will be come 4 and then 8 and so on? Not sure how that works.
Hope everyone is doing good and getting better.. Best wishes!
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OLD threaddrayco said:Hello everyone
I was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer sept 2012. Went through chemo and radiation. Last treatment was in Dec 2012. In jan I was recommened to see a surgeon. I ended up seeing 4. All 4 of them recommended full removal of my prostate, rectum, and part of my colon. Then 6 months of heveay chemo.
I'm not sure what my CEA number was at diagnosis but I had blood work done last week. My blood was the best it's been since I started getting sick a year ago this time. My CEA was 2. I was really exited when I saw that. I haven't had any surgery and I denied any further chemo treatment or surgery.
Is 2 good or should it be 0? Does 2 mean you still have cancer cells and that eventaully the 2 will be come 4 and then 8 and so on? Not sure how that works.
Hope everyone is doing good and getting better.. Best wishes!
drayco, many of the people on the thread, even the lady who started this, have been dead for 2 or 3 years. Please start a new thread and always try to check the dates when searching. It's heartbreaking for us when these loved ones pop up ........ and some families receive notice of replies because of shared emails.
To answer your question, tho, 2 is WELL within normal. Here's a quote: Most normal persons have detectable concentrations of circulating CEA. Approximately 85% of adults have CEA levels less than 2.5 ng/mL, while 95% have levels less than 5.0 ng/mL. CEA levels are slightly higher in men than women. The median level is 3.4 ng/mL in men and 2.5 ug/mL in women. Healthy persons seldom have levels above 10 ng/mL.
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Makes you wonder how thisPatchAdams said:OLD thread
drayco, many of the people on the thread, even the lady who started this, have been dead for 2 or 3 years. Please start a new thread and always try to check the dates when searching. It's heartbreaking for us when these loved ones pop up ........ and some families receive notice of replies because of shared emails.
To answer your question, tho, 2 is WELL within normal. Here's a quote: Most normal persons have detectable concentrations of circulating CEA. Approximately 85% of adults have CEA levels less than 2.5 ng/mL, while 95% have levels less than 5.0 ng/mL. CEA levels are slightly higher in men than women. The median level is 3.4 ng/mL in men and 2.5 ug/mL in women. Healthy persons seldom have levels above 10 ng/mL.
Makes you wonder how this forum will look 2-3 years from now. I hate this disease.
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How do you know they're dead?PatchAdams said:OLD thread
drayco, many of the people on the thread, even the lady who started this, have been dead for 2 or 3 years. Please start a new thread and always try to check the dates when searching. It's heartbreaking for us when these loved ones pop up ........ and some families receive notice of replies because of shared emails.
To answer your question, tho, 2 is WELL within normal. Here's a quote: Most normal persons have detectable concentrations of circulating CEA. Approximately 85% of adults have CEA levels less than 2.5 ng/mL, while 95% have levels less than 5.0 ng/mL. CEA levels are slightly higher in men than women. The median level is 3.4 ng/mL in men and 2.5 ug/mL in women. Healthy persons seldom have levels above 10 ng/mL.
How do you know they're dead? Serious question. Just because they've stopped posting?
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Mine spiked at 1125 and
Mine spiked at 1125 and several docs we have spoke to, told us that was not possible. I have read people's claims of over 100,000. My Oncologists told me that is possible, but very unusal. When you speak to the top Oncologists, they will tell you much different things then if you see the local oncologist. It is the experience. I wanted to be treated by someone that has seen thousands of cancer patients, not hundreds. I have a more unsual cancer in the location fo where it was found. I knew I needed a real professional.
Best Always, mike
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Patti was my friendpngc said:How do you know they're dead?
How do you know they're dead? Serious question. Just because they've stopped posting?
Her husband and brother both posted here when she died. I kept in touch with her brother for quite a while but when he was past his grief, I stopped writing him. She lived a few towns away from one of our members and I think some went to her funeral...... THAT's how we know she died.
At least 3 others have died who responded to this thread.
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We communicatepngc said:How do you know they're dead?
How do you know they're dead? Serious question. Just because they've stopped posting?
We communicate...not with those who passed, but with their friends, family and loved ones.
Many long term posters ask someone to let us know if the worst happens.
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