Question for all of you about CEA

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Paula G.
Paula G. Member Posts: 596
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
John gets his CEA done when they do his Avastin infusion every three weeks. I always hesitate to call because well I don't want to here bad news. I call anyway and if I don't they will call us. My question is his CEA has gone up a little. When he was on the Folfox + avastin it was down to 7.1 and he took a month off treatment and it was 11.1 and then started Xeloda + avastin and it dropped to 10.1 and then went to 11.2,12.3 and is now 13.0. The PA said it was slight and they weren't alarmed. He is scheduled for a CT on the 18th so we will see what is going on. We do know that about half way into treatment his CEA was 25.
My question is I read on a search that CEA can go up if tumors are dieing too? I also read that the CEA is different with mets and not everyone's CEA is a reliable marker?
I want to be armed with good questions about this when we see the Doc on the 19th.
I read and read on the net and I never really know if the information is correct or not. I no there is a lot of BS out there. So what do you guys think? Thanks Paula

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
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    You've Got It :)
    Hi Paula

    You've got the right answers.

    CEA can rise when the cancer cells die off, the protein released can raise the level. Also, if surgery was performed, the CEA levels can rise. Also, if there are any infections, this can also raise the counts.

    And right again, some people's CEA markers are not a definite reading of where they are at in their battle. For others, it is a good indicator of cancer or non-cancer activity. It sounds like in JR's case, that CEA is an indicator.

    So more than likely his is higher because the treatments have been killing cells and thus the higher level. Something to keep an eye on, but slight raises should be ok - if it were to start going really high, really quick, this might be something, but is not the case thus far for you and JR.

    And the scan should tell you if anything can be seen, so this will be helpful.

    You're in good shape - "armed" to the teeth :)

    Good luck and tell JR hi from Craig - best wishes for you both.

    -Craig
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #3
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    Paula, My Cea is a good
    Paula, My Cea is a good indicator for me. It was 10 and shot up to 32 my Onc. expected growth of the liver tumors and he was right. You may want to insist on a scan to rule out issues. It really just depends on if it is a good indicator for him. It may not be and I have heard about it rising if they are dying off. Not trying to be negative just wanting you to be proactive. Not all Onc. will send you off for a scan if it rises by mine did and he was right. Patti
  • Devasted
    Devasted Member Posts: 185
    #4
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    Sundanceh said:

    You've Got It :)
    Hi Paula

    You've got the right answers.

    CEA can rise when the cancer cells die off, the protein released can raise the level. Also, if surgery was performed, the CEA levels can rise. Also, if there are any infections, this can also raise the counts.

    And right again, some people's CEA markers are not a definite reading of where they are at in their battle. For others, it is a good indicator of cancer or non-cancer activity. It sounds like in JR's case, that CEA is an indicator.

    So more than likely his is higher because the treatments have been killing cells and thus the higher level. Something to keep an eye on, but slight raises should be ok - if it were to start going really high, really quick, this might be something, but is not the case thus far for you and JR.

    And the scan should tell you if anything can be seen, so this will be helpful.

    You're in good shape - "armed" to the teeth :)

    Good luck and tell JR hi from Craig - best wishes for you both.

    -Craig

    Good Advice

    Craig you couldn't have said it any better! My husband's CEA was 10 at dx went to 30
    is now 7. All these readings during chemo. Some say their onc doesn't check during
    chemo...Seems it is a variable for everyone.
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #5
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    ittapp said:

    Paula, My Cea is a good
    Paula, My Cea is a good indicator for me. It was 10 and shot up to 32 my Onc. expected growth of the liver tumors and he was right. You may want to insist on a scan to rule out issues. It really just depends on if it is a good indicator for him. It may not be and I have heard about it rising if they are dying off. Not trying to be negative just wanting you to be proactive. Not all Onc. will send you off for a scan if it rises by mine did and he was right. Patti

    Thanks
    Thanks for your answers. I really like the onc he is seeing now. The last one said CEA didn't mean much he went by the way he was feeling. We were in shock at his dx and didn't know anything about cc. He gave us a paper on a trial and didn't bother to go over any of it. Like the drugs that they use in some of the trials are the ones he would be on. I am so glad we aren't with him anymore.
    It is good to have some place like this to compare notes so to speak. Thanks again and Craig I will tell John ( JR) you said hello. He will most likely see this post. Best to all of you. Paula

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