Clarification on Blood Test (CEA?) prior to Surgery!

maryjane
maryjane Member Posts: 71
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Don't recall the exact name of this test but it was done prior to surgery to see if there were cancer cells in the blood...I think. None appeared and I thought the oncologist said that was a good thing. But...recently heard that because there were no c cells appearing--they have no margins to go by. Also--I was just told by a different oncologist that they won't do that test again because nothing showed up initially. A friend told me she gets that test every few months even tho nothing showed up on hers. Any info on this confusing topic?
Thanks for being there--you're all wonderful! maryjane

Comments

  • imagineit2010
    imagineit2010 Member Posts: 152 Member
    #2
    Unfortunately for CC the CEA
    Unfortunately for CC the CEA test is NOT a valid inicator of anything. My CEA after diagnosis was 1.4 and I'm stage2 T3. This disease is sneaky and gets by tests. It can be just another part of a complete picture of your health. Many people's CEA will skyrocket after or during treatment with Chemo and radiation. Then it can be used as a marker.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #3
    CEA
    For some it may not be a valid indicator but, I can only talk for our case, it is an Excellent indicator, if it is the CEA test you are referring to. It is my understanding CEA is a cancer activity marker don't know if that is the same thing you are refering to as "cancer cells in the blood". George gets his CEA done monthly along with other blood work. This is over and above the weekly bood work relating to the chemo treatments. It is part of the whole picture for us.

    I thought you were going with alternative medicine instead of chemo?

    Take care - Tina

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