Cea results from re-test

ittapp
ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello everyone, as some of you know I went in to be retested for cea's that rose from 10.5-22, that was on Wed. now it seems It has risen even more to 32 in just 5 days. Nurse called to tell me the results and says that chemo would not cause a rise in cea levels. I was at a steady downward trend on Folfox and now this. I am just so damned sad right before the holidays too. My liver isn't hurting and I just am so confused. (Patti) any advise would be appreciated.

Comments

  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #2
    Patti
    I am so very sorry to hear about the rising CEA results. I continue to pray for your healing.

    When will you see your doctor again? Since FOLFOX was working, possibly you can return to that.

    Diane
  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #3
    dianetavegia said:

    Patti
    I am so very sorry to hear about the rising CEA results. I continue to pray for your healing.

    When will you see your doctor again? Since FOLFOX was working, possibly you can return to that.

    Diane

    CEA
    Hey Patti,
    I am having the same problem...I have been NED for 7 months and now my levels are elevated and I have to go for a PET scan tomorrow...My first one...It is very depressing I know and just before the holidays and I will be getting the results on my bday..Happy birthday to me.....I guess all we can do is plug on..Good luck to you and I will be praying for you....JULIE
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #4
    Sorry your CEA has risen. I
    Sorry your CEA has risen. I think you said your scans were good; hang onto that until you have more information. My oncologist doesn't even tell me my CEA; she doesn't believe CEA is always a good indicator. I hope this is the case for you. Good luck; please let us the outcome.

    Take good care
  • jillpls
    jillpls Member Posts: 238
    #5
    CEA not a good indicator
    HI, I agree about CEA not being the know all about cancer progression. My Onc doesn't rely on it at all with me. Hang in there and stay positive
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #6
    Let's Get More Info...
    Hi KS

    I can't tell you how many "wrong" reports that I got from nurses instead of the oncologists - if I had based my decisions on the nurses calling, I'd have been up a creek that's for sure.

    Let's see what your oncologist has to say about it before we read too much into this. CEAs are relevant to some of us and not so relevant to others - it all depends it seems. I believe that your CEAs are a good marker.

    Run the theory of cells dying by your onc and get his input - if he/she does not agree with that, then what do they think could be causing this rise? Those would be my 2 questions to the onc for sure for your next visit.

    In the meantime, Thanksgiving is only 2 days away now - and nothing will change too much in the next couple of days either good or bad, so just for a few days, put this all out of your mind, so you can enjoy the holiday that you have been given to enjoy with your family.

    Nothing can take this day or memory away from you! It's yours but please choose to focus on the positive for this day, so that you will cherish it...there's plenty of time to worry, there always is. But Thursday is YOUR holiday - so please enjoy it as best you can.

    BTW, nice new pic of you on your avatar.

    Just go slow and steady and enjoy this week! I'm around if you ever need me as we've talked about before. I'm still on the mend but am around you all, even though you guys think I've disappeared - I am here with you.

    Gobble, gobble :)

    -Craig
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #7
    Sorry
    I'm sorry you've gotten such a scary call right before the holiday. I do pray you will find out that the CEA doesn't mean anything bad is happening.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #8
    tootsie1 said:

    Sorry
    I'm sorry you've gotten such a scary call right before the holiday. I do pray you will find out that the CEA doesn't mean anything bad is happening.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Thanks guys, it seems this
    Thanks guys, it seems this Cancer is a rollercoaster ride for sure. Just when I think everything is going well you get some news like this before the holidays. I am sorry if I am bringing any of you down. I know we are all trying to enjoy the day and family, and I am going to as well. Thanks for listening to me. When I got the call today I posted before I even called my family. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!! Patti
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #9
    Patti
    My sister also had elevated CEA, numbers in the hundreds along with elevated CA-125 which went up over 150 points! But the PET scan she had a week after those numbers did not pick up any of the tumors in her peritoneum! So, I think the PET is more reliable than the CEA. I would take a deep breathe and rely on the PET before you jump to any conclusions. Happy Thanksgiving!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #10
    Agree with others
    Don't play the numbers game, it's too bad that they even mention such an unreliable test result to you. I'm glad you're not hurting.
    Enjoy the holiday
    -p
  • KATE58
    KATE58 Member Posts: 299
    #11
    My doctor doesn't even take
    My doctor doesn't even take my cea anymore He says it is too unreliable
    I haven't had it tested in 3 years
    The scans are all you need to worry about.
    (read my thing on DRESSING FOR XRAYS,PET/CT SCANS,MRI'S)
    GOOD LUCK
    GOD BLESS
    KATE
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #12
    KATE58 said:

    My doctor doesn't even take
    My doctor doesn't even take my cea anymore He says it is too unreliable
    I haven't had it tested in 3 years
    The scans are all you need to worry about.
    (read my thing on DRESSING FOR XRAYS,PET/CT SCANS,MRI'S)
    GOOD LUCK
    GOD BLESS
    KATE

    My
    onc doesn't even rely on the CEA numbers. I think mine was like 60 when I last asked, I don't really care about the numbers though, as long as I'm here and feeling good, I'm happy, and if my onc isn't worried, I don't need to be. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, don't let the numbers get to you, it's all it is.... a number.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

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