cea up again

pattyspals
pattyspals Member Posts: 12
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Doc called me today and said CEA is up to 2.6 but not to worry. I guess I would be fine but this is the 2nd time in the last few months it has gone up. Is this normal? Is CEA a big deal?

Patty

Comments

  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #2
    Hi Patty
    If your cea is under 3 that's normal it's even higher for smokers. I can understand your worry, but I'm glad your oncologist/doctor are keeping an eye on things. Also for some cea isn't an indicator, but for others it is.

    Hugs
    Sonia
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #3
    Patty...........
    First off, is it a good indicator for you ? Secondly and most of all, if you smoke then its between 3-6 that's ok...if you are a non smoker then its 0-3...small inclinations I wouldn't worry about. Its the double and triple jumps that tend to make me think...My re occurrence was 1.4------9.4------10.7....then found 1.4cm growth in lung that was a met from primary...

    So see the jump it took......I did also take on another Oncologist...I felt as thought with a scan this could have been caught at a much quicker size..CEA did catch it, but only after it got sizable enough to reek havoc.It cost me 1/2 of my upper left lung. I think a scan could have saved a lot more...so I am scanning at 6 months ( which ends in March) with a colonoscopy in March as well. and if scan is clear then will scan again in a year and every year after that. If colonoscopy shows clear then its 3 years for that as well...........as long as my insurance doesn't balk Im taking my complete defensive treatments and options in my own hands..and I am weighing the risks against the benefits on options so now if there's a mistake then its all mine....Buzz
  • grannyc
    grannyc Member Posts: 63
    #4
    Buzzard said:

    Patty...........
    First off, is it a good indicator for you ? Secondly and most of all, if you smoke then its between 3-6 that's ok...if you are a non smoker then its 0-3...small inclinations I wouldn't worry about. Its the double and triple jumps that tend to make me think...My re occurrence was 1.4------9.4------10.7....then found 1.4cm growth in lung that was a met from primary...

    So see the jump it took......I did also take on another Oncologist...I felt as thought with a scan this could have been caught at a much quicker size..CEA did catch it, but only after it got sizable enough to reek havoc.It cost me 1/2 of my upper left lung. I think a scan could have saved a lot more...so I am scanning at 6 months ( which ends in March) with a colonoscopy in March as well. and if scan is clear then will scan again in a year and every year after that. If colonoscopy shows clear then its 3 years for that as well...........as long as my insurance doesn't balk Im taking my complete defensive treatments and options in my own hands..and I am weighing the risks against the benefits on options so now if there's a mistake then its all mine....Buzz

    good to keep an eye on the CEA
    I agree that watching the CEA level is a good thing but as others have said CEA level is not a good indicator for everyone.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #5
    Hi Patty
    I guess I would ask if this is what your oncologist normally does, call you with results regardless of what they are? The number certainly is low and/or in the "safe zone". Like others have said, the CEA isn't a totally reliable marker for everyone. I know that one's CEA can fluctuate a lot and it means nothing significant. With other people, if it starts to rise then it's a good idea to see why it rose. Maybe something is up (maybe not).
    Be well,
    -phil
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #6
    PhillieG said:

    Hi Patty
    I guess I would ask if this is what your oncologist normally does, call you with results regardless of what they are? The number certainly is low and/or in the "safe zone". Like others have said, the CEA isn't a totally reliable marker for everyone. I know that one's CEA can fluctuate a lot and it means nothing significant. With other people, if it starts to rise then it's a good idea to see why it rose. Maybe something is up (maybe not).
    Be well,
    -phil

    Hi Phil
    Just wanted to say that your 'test pattern' reminds me of the Howdy Doody days. Back in the 50's wasn't unusual to see it a good part of the time with so few tv channels and shows.

    Guess that is showing my age! Of well!

    Marie who loves kitties

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