CEA level questions

I know squat about CEA but I think a downward trend is generally favorable. I am sure others with more experience will chime. My CEA was only 1.5 before surgery and I am told they won't check it again until after I finish chemo six months from now. Don't hold your breath. It makes you turn blue! LOL!!

Tennis (Heather) -

My CEA just post surgery was <0.5 and I am Stage IV also. My CEA pre-surgery is lost in history for reasons not worth mentioning (blood taken, paid for, test never actually done!). My point is that if I could had a CEA of <0.5 with liver mets, then CEA is certainly not a marker for everyone. And, even if it may be a marker for you, any given number is probably not critical. I'd ask your onc if I were you, but going down sounds really good, even if it only goes down "a little". I have no idea what the rate of decline is in successful patients where CEA is a valid marker, but I'll bet that hanging your hat on any specific number is not the way to go.

By the way, I checked out your MYSPACE blog. I SO MUCH know what you mean about good news being only fleeting. I have had much good news, but every time I have CT and PET scans, I am happy for a day or so and then think that I am just working toward the next one (and next uncertain diagnosis). My next one is 10/2 - still, Heather, you should know that I was diagnosed in late May 2005, have been "almost NED" since late August 2005 (after 2 chemo treatments - is there such a thing as "almost" NED?) and been really NED since Dec 2005 (after 6 treatments of Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin). NED since then based on PET and CT scans in Feb, Mar, April and late June 2006. So, please don't give up - but I related so much to your "good news doesn't last long" point - I feel at this point that even good news is stressful (although not as stressful as bad news).

I wish you the best. Keep in touch. And keep those kids in your mind - mine are 21 and 24 at this point, but they are still my inspiration.

Betsy

Hi Heather,

I think CEA levels have us all baffled. I seem to get concerned if mine shows a trend upward even if it is in the normal range. Yours is going in the right direction. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hugs,

Kay

spongebob said:

DAMN, Pat - you took my line!

Heather - CEA is a weak marker. Everyone is different. I was like so many of our cohorts here and had "normal" CEA levels with active disease. What the docs do is look for a trend. Your trend is down-sloping and that is GREAT! Don't be surprised if you plateau in the near future, but that's OK, too.

Keepin you in my thoughts and prayers.

- SB

Great minds think alike, Bob! LOL!!