Elevated CEA with clean scans

I had a recurrence after my surgery/chemo/radiatoin. It happened on my second CT scan. My first being clear.  It was my CEA jumping by leaps and bounds, that alerted my Oncologist. I mean it went from 1 - 10 - 20 within a two week period. 

Unfortunately, feeling fine is not an indicator at all. I felt fine, right up until they found a tumour blocking my colon. And I felt great, right up until they told me there was a tumour in my liver.  That is why they call Cancer 'The silent killer'.  

I am glad you are getting a colonoscopy, and if that is clear, I hope they follow up with a PET scan. 

CEA can be very unpredictabe, and something like an infection can cause it to rise, so it isn't always an indication of Cancer, but definitely something to check out.

Nothing any of us say will alleviate the fear that will dog you, until you find out what is going on, if anything. 

I wish you all the best, and hope that it is nothing more than a hidden infection, somewhere in your body. 

Let us know how things turn out.    

TRU

 P.S.  My recurrence was SEVEN YEARS AGO and I have had clear scans ever since.  So, even if 'it is back' it is does NOT mean that the end is nigh.  

sreekanth said:

Thank you Trubrit for your

Thank you Trubrit for your response and very kind remarks.

If this is a recurrence, it would be my second recurrence.

Primary diagnosis was in colon- Four years ago. CEA stayed less than 0.5 before , during and after treatment.

FIrst recurrence was two years ago- solitary lung nodule. CEA was normal before and after treatment.

If the latest result is a recurrence, it might be elsewhere - hence the different behavior of CEA. Usually liver mets elevate CEA. My CT says everything looks normal in the liver, who knows when something will show up in the scan??!!!

It is no fun when these things creep up on us.  I have found in my case CT scans have not picked up my cancer.  My CEA is running high for me 4.7  nor

mal runs about 3.2.  My colonoscopy and CT scans came back clear but my PET scans 2 months apart show suspicious active malignancy at a the orginal resection sight.  2 sights one the size of a peanut and one a grape.   I don't want to have exploratory surgery without knowing what it is.   I live in Nevada and they have no major cancer centers here.  I have been referred to Univ CA Irvine Cancer Center.  I have an appt  the 30th and will let you know what I find out.  Hope you can have a PET scan.  None of these tests are 100% so we need to be advocates for ourselves.  The odd thing with me is I have been NED since 2007.

Praying for no more recurrances.  Try to enjoy everyday!

CEA can be unreliable in a lot of people, just like you said the first time it was completely normal and now it is rising without showing anything.  I'm glad that you are getting a colonoscopy just to rule out any hidden polyps that might be growing and not showing on scans.  Is your doctor concerned regarding the results?  You might ask them what they think.  I'm wishing you the best outcome for your scope next week.  Please keep us informed.

Kim

sreekanth said:

Thanks SnapDraon for

Thanks SnapDraon for responding.  I also think it is likely a liver met. My CT and MRI taken on same day as CEA shows nothing. I will ask my doc when he thinks we should image it again...perhaps I can have the same images reinterpreted by another radiologist

Insurances hate to pay up for them, but it is worth the fight.

Tru

sreekanth said:

The PET scan found a

The PET scan found a hypermetabolic lymph node in the pelvis measuring 1.6cmx1.2 cm (near obturator chain in pelvic region) that was ruled 'recurrence' unless proven otherwise. I am so bummed. Has this kind of met been treated for any of you? If yes, please share details. I have not met with my oncologist yet.

The PET did not find any other lesions or lymph mets

sorry to hear that

sometimes inflamations caused by the chemo can have a rising effect on CEA. Even infections sometimess can do the same. Although we would like to have a low lvels of CEA, a scan is the way to go.