another cea question

ittapp
ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
i have seen posts where stage iv with mets have had very different cea levels.some stage iv will have numbers in thousands and some with triple digits while others arein double digits.does this mean the higher the number the worse the cancer activity? it seems strange that two people with the same dx and stage could have such different numbers.its very confusing

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #2
    Patti.....
    You need to remind yourself that CEA (Cryo Embryonic Antigen) levels are reliable indicators for the larger percentage of patients, not for them all, so one patient may show 500 and have no activity where another may show 9 and have activity. CEA levels as I know them are only for colorectal cancer indicators and are no use for activity discovery in breast cancer or any other types. Also besides the CEA levels are the other counts such as the CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) where as other enzyme levels are watched. The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) blood test is group of 14 blood tests that evaluate organ function. Physicians often order the CMP blood test as part of an annual physical, or your doctor may order the test to investigate an existing complaint or symptom. The CMP screens for organ dysfunction by measuring glucose, calcium, pre-albumin, albumin, electrolytes (sodium, CO2, potassium and chloride), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and bilirubin...Any increase would naturally lead the physician to most probably scan. Some Drs watch this as mine does instead of scanning to reduce the amount of radiation to me or anyone else. My CEA levels are great indicators of mine...(I hope)....I hope this helps...Love and hope, Clift
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #3
    CEA
    Dr. Clift is right again. This stuff is confusing. CEA is a good indicator for George. Starting out his was 584 and at last count was 20 and still dropping. Now that I have read Cift's post I'm going to have to get those blood test results out. I could never quite figure out what all the initials stood for on the weekly test. Our blood tests have things like LY, MO, GR HCT, MCV! Stuff like WBC, PLT, HGB I know but the others, not so much. Now I got the other blood panel test out and in front of me and it is making sense, i.e. AST, ALT, and the like. Thanks Clift you are making my day. The numbers on the big blood test are really looking good with what George is and the reference range. Dr. Clift to the rescue again. Take care Tina
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    geotina said:

    CEA
    Dr. Clift is right again. This stuff is confusing. CEA is a good indicator for George. Starting out his was 584 and at last count was 20 and still dropping. Now that I have read Cift's post I'm going to have to get those blood test results out. I could never quite figure out what all the initials stood for on the weekly test. Our blood tests have things like LY, MO, GR HCT, MCV! Stuff like WBC, PLT, HGB I know but the others, not so much. Now I got the other blood panel test out and in front of me and it is making sense, i.e. AST, ALT, and the like. Thanks Clift you are making my day. The numbers on the big blood test are really looking good with what George is and the reference range. Dr. Clift to the rescue again. Take care Tina

    Oh Tina ..are you in my HMO ?
    if so then I will send you an EOB(explanation of Benefits) then a bill will follow (can you spell Ka-Ching)LOL......ah what tha heck.....this ones a freebie...and give ole George a big hug too......... :) Have a good day all, Love and Hope, Clift

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