chemo "wroking" but CEA not dropping...

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm currently on Xeliri plus Avastin for bone mets. Scan after 4 cycles showed the chemo is "working" -- (all the spots shrinking and/or lower "update" on PET). However, my CEA is still high (for me): down to about 17 (from 26) but now hovering there.

The whole CEA thing is kinda new to me: I'm one of those people who did not have an elevated CEA on diagnosis nor with any of my previous 3 relapses (all lung). It wasn't a good indicator for me. But my dear onc kept testing it -- and this latest relapse was caught by a rising CEA. A suprise, but a welcome one (well, not the recurrence! but that fact that CEA gave us the first clue). So I'm not so used to following my CEA as an indicator of how well treatment is working.

Would love to hear experiences -- especially any that can reassure and comfort me! Could my CEA just be 'trailing'. It has been somewhat stable the last few cycles. I'm on #7 now -- will be having another PET after #8....I guess that will give me more (better) information.

Thanks and best wishes to all

Tara

Comments

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #2
    Hi
    A started at about 150 and it slowly dropped to 2.5. There are others who have CEA in the thousands, so it all depends on the person. My ONC told me anything under 5 is in the normal range. Not sure if for me or everyone. Others will be sure to pipe in and give you their perspective or experience.

    Raquel
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #3
    good scan news
    Hi Tara,

    That's great that the chemo is working and your scan showed shrinking spots and lower uptake on the PET! I know it's hard not to worry about the CEA, but I wouldn't worry too much, especially since it hasn't proven to be a real valid marker for you in the past. Plus, it has gone down from where it was before & you still do show uptake on the PET, so likely it will continue to go down even more as you continue on the chemo.

    Sounds like you're doing pretty well- that's good news!

    Take care and have a good weekend!
    Lisa
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    lisa42 said:

    good scan news
    Hi Tara,

    That's great that the chemo is working and your scan showed shrinking spots and lower uptake on the PET! I know it's hard not to worry about the CEA, but I wouldn't worry too much, especially since it hasn't proven to be a real valid marker for you in the past. Plus, it has gone down from where it was before & you still do show uptake on the PET, so likely it will continue to go down even more as you continue on the chemo.

    Sounds like you're doing pretty well- that's good news!

    Take care and have a good weekend!
    Lisa

    and as cancer cells die off........
    they put off CEA (antigens) that can show up as CEA elevation but in reality be cells dying off and releasing that antigen..........Buzz
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    Buzzard said:

    and as cancer cells die off........
    they put off CEA (antigens) that can show up as CEA elevation but in reality be cells dying off and releasing that antigen..........Buzz

    thank all
    Thanks all.

    Buzz -- I just LOVE the thought/image of those little cells dying and shedding -- thanks for that.

    Tara
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #6
    Hi Tara, for now I would
    Hi Tara, for now I would just concentrate on the good news of the scans! My Dr. watches my CEA but does not gage how I am doing by those numbers. It it jumps all of a sudden the take notice, but it has not been a good source as a marker. Talk with your Dr. and I bet he will confirm that! Enjoy the good news! Jean
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #7
    taraHK said:

    thank all
    Thanks all.

    Buzz -- I just LOVE the thought/image of those little cells dying and shedding -- thanks for that.

    Tara

    and for now....lets go with that til they prove otherwise..
    the balls in their court now...lets me and you sit and rest a bit, we deserve it, don't ya think ? Love to ya, Buzz
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #8
    chicoturner said:

    Hi Tara, for now I would
    Hi Tara, for now I would just concentrate on the good news of the scans! My Dr. watches my CEA but does not gage how I am doing by those numbers. It it jumps all of a sudden the take notice, but it has not been a good source as a marker. Talk with your Dr. and I bet he will confirm that! Enjoy the good news! Jean

    FYI:If you happen to be overweight,
    CEA may not be an accurate indicator for you, as per a recent study on body mass index and CEA

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