CEA

grammolga
grammolga Member Posts: 1
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hello guys. Can CEA levels rise in ovarian cancer or does that indicate a metastasis?  Thank you in advance for your answer.

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  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #2
    CEA levels R used 2 monitor some cancers and/or possible mets

    Hello “grammolga”

    From a cursory reading here from an absolute layman, it would appear that if one has already been diagnosed with certain types of cancer that a CEA test could tell if the cancer is increasing in intensity in that same organ or can be useful in determining metastasis if a baseline has already been established.  Afraid your question is “above my pay grade”.  The most I can do is offer you a few references that might aid you in finding an answer.  However, please understand that this is only an interpretation of mine.  My own diagnosis is Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV.  The rise and/or fall of my CA-125 number is very helpful in determining the advancement or stability of my cancer. 

    I do note in the “healthline.com” reference this particular statement among others—“ Your doctor might also use the CEA test to help determine if a cancer has come back, or recurred, after finishing treatment.”  Since you didn’t elaborate, I’m not certain if you’re asking for your own health reasons or for someone else.  However, apparently there can be a rise in a CEA level in Ovarian cancer that could well be a cause for concern. 

    Perhaps someone else can give a more definitive answer.  Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.

    Loretta

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    1.      https://www.healthline.com/health/cea

    Carcinoembryonic Antigen Test (CEA)  

    Purpose -- Procedure -- Risks -- Normal Results -- Abnormal Results -- Follow-up

    What is a carcinoembryonic antigen test (CEA)?

    A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is a blood test used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers. The CEA test is used especially for cancers of the large intestine and rectum. You doctor can also use the test results to help determine if a cancer treatment is working.

    An antigen is a substance that’s made by cancerous tumor cells. Sometimes antigens are released into the bloodstream. The CEA test measures the amount of CEA in the blood. A high amount of CEA in your body after a cancer treatment or surgery suggests the cancer is not gone. It may also mean that the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

    Smoking can increase the amount of CEA in your body even in the absence of cancer. You should tell your doctor if you smoke…

    Purpose - When will your doctor order the CEA test?

    The CEA test has different uses. Your doctor can order a CEA test if your symptoms suggest you might have cancer. A CEA test can help your doctor find out if a cancer treatment is working. These treatments may have included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of all three. Your doctor might also use the CEA test to help determine if a cancer has come back, or recurred, after finishing treatment.

    A CEA test is most useful after a diagnosis of a type of cancer that’s known to produce CEA. Not all cancers produce CEA.

    Increased levels of CEA may be found in the following cancers:

    The CEA test isn’t useful for diagnosing or screening the general population for cancer. It’s usually not used to screen or diagnose you if you’re healthy or aren’t showing any symptoms of a disease. But if someone has a familial genetic syndrome for colon cancer then it’s reasonable use CEA as a screening tool. These cases are rare.

    Your doctor may begin monitoring levels of CEA before you begin treatment if you’re diagnosed with cancer. This will establish a baseline level for your CEA. A single CEA value is usually not as informative as many values and the trends of these values over time. Your doctor will perform the test repeatedly before, during, and after treatment to check for changes…”

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    2.      https://www.medicinenet.com/carcinoembryonic_antigen/article.htm

    What is CEA?

    CEA stands for carcinoembryonic antigen. CEA is a substance found on the surface of some cells. It is a type of glycoprotein produced by cells of the gastrointestinal tract during embryonic development. It is produced in very small amounts after birth. The level of CEA in the bloodstream is thus relatively low unless certain diseases - including certain forms of cancer - are present.

    How is CEA measured?

    CEA is most frequently tested in blood. It can also be tested in body fluids and in biopsy tissue.

    What is the normal range for CEA blood levels?

    The normal range for CEA in an adult non-smoker is <2.5 ng/ml and for a smoker <5.0 ng/ml.

    How is the CEA test used?

    The best use of CEA is as a tumor marker, especially for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. When the CEA level is abnormally high before surgery or other treatment, it is expected to fall to normal following successful surgery to remove all of the cancer. A rising CEA level indicates progression or recurrence of the cancer. This must be confirmed, as the CEA test by itself is not specific enough to substantiate a recurrence of a cancer. In addition, levels >20 ng/ml before therapy may be associated with cancer which has already spread (metastatic disease).

    What conditions can cause an elevated CEA?

    Both benign (harmless) and malignant (cancerous) conditions can increase the CEA level. The most frequent cancer which causes an increased CEA is cancer of the colon and rectum. Others include cancers of the pancreas, stomach, breast, lung, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and ovarian cancer. Benign conditions which can elevate CEA include smoking, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors in the same organs in which an elevated CEA indicates cancer. Chemotherapy and therapy can cause a temporary rise in CEA due to the death of tumor cells and release of CEA into the blood stream. Changing levels of CEA during cancer treatment must always be correlated with other clinical findings. While worrisome, changes in CEA are not diagnostic of cancer progression on their own…”

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    3.      https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003574.htm

    “CEA blood test - The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is a protein normally found in the tissue of a developing baby in the womb. The blood level of this protein disappears or becomes very low after birth. In adults, an abnormal level of CEA may be a sign of cancer.

    How the Test is Performed - A blood sample is needed.

    How to Prepare for the Test - Smoking may increase the CEA level. If you smoke, your doctor may tell you to avoid doing so for a short time before the test.

    How the Test will Feel - When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. These soon go away.

    Why the Test is Performed - This test is done to monitor the response to treatment and then to check for the return of colon and other cancers such as medullary thyroid cancer and cancers of the rectum, lung, breast, liver, pancreas, stomach, and ovaries.

    It is not used as a screening test for cancer and should not be done unless a diagnosis of cancer has been made.

    Normal Results - The normal range is 0 to 2.5 micrograms per liter (mcg/L). In smokers, the normal range is 0 to 5 mcg/L.

    In smokers, slightly higher values may be considered normal…”

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