What is "normal" CEA?

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Zig2017
Posts: 139
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2017 12:26 pm

Re: What is "normal" CEA?

Postby Zig2017 » Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:30 pm

Hubby was at 26 post surgery and during first couple of chemo. Does it go up from the chemo? Sorry for dumb question. His CA-19-9 was at 3100. I’ve got to ask doc to run it again... this info is interesting!
Hubby stage 3C June 2017
MSS BRAF Mutation
18 LN positive
Adenosquamous CC
12 FOLFOX
Right Hemicolectomy
11/08/17 numerous nodules and lymph nodes throughout chest and abdomen. Stage IV.
11/2017 moved care to Sloan clinical trial for BRAF mutation
1/30/18 off clinical trial
2/2/18 one dose of Irinotecan
2/5/18 Hospitalization and hospice
2/16/18 came home from hospital and went home to his Lord at 1:10 pm

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susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: What is "normal" CEA?

Postby susie0915 » Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:56 pm

I was told by my oncologist that it can increase during chemotherapy.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

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dianetavegia
Posts: 2731
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 8:47 pm
Facebook Username: Diane Weldy Tavegia
Location: Villa Rica, Georgia

Re: What is "normal" CEA?

Postby dianetavegia » Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:10 pm

I have all the symptoms of hypothyroid and found numerous studies showing that a low functioning thyroid can cause an elevated CEA. Mine was 2.1 after my colon surgery then ran around 4 during chem. It was 2.7 to 3.4 until just before the liver met was found. 4.4, 6.5 and then 8.4 the day of my liver resection. It's remained back 2.7 to 3.4 except when I had walking pneumonia. My onc said 'I guess you're just one of the people who have elevated CEA's'. He said THAT when it was in the 2.7 to 3.4 range!

The waiting time for a new patient visit with a primary here (we only have a few) is six to 9 months. My husband has a six month wait if he needs to see his primary. The answer here is 'go to the ER' and the hospitalist will send us his reports.
Stage III cc surgery 1/7/09. 12 tx FOLFOX
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12

14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2


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