CEA

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Dori W
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:30 pm
Facebook Username: Dori Woodhouse

CEA

Postby Dori W » Mon May 30, 2016 1:19 pm

I feel so foolish. I've been NED for eight years and my CEA went from 1.0 to 2.0, which is normal and no big deal, right? I know this, and yet I can't let it go. I keep worrying despite the fact that I know it is normal. So, here's my question: have you experienced a fluctuation like this? Am I right that I shouldn't be worried?
Diagnosed stage 3C signet ring colon cancer in May, 2008
14 out of 18 positive lymph nodes
Final treatment in November, 2008
NED ever since
I used to have an account under "Dori," but I've lost access to it.
You can view my old posts here: search.php?author_id=1446&sr=posts

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: CEA

Postby Lee » Mon May 30, 2016 1:34 pm

My CEA # moves around. I can go up some, then go down some, never the same #. Many things can effect your CEA. What they are looking for is an upward trend. If your next results jump to a 4, you might want to be concerned then.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

User avatar
ANDRETEXAS
Posts: 662
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 11:01 am
Location: Austin, Texas (University of Tennessee alumnus)

Re: CEA

Postby ANDRETEXAS » Mon May 30, 2016 2:17 pm

My CEA always jumps with each blood test. However, the highest CEA I've ever had was 2.6 and that was while I was on FOLFOX. After treatments were over, I have ranged from less than 0.1 to 1.8. It has, for the most pat, been between 1.4 and 1.8. Two weeks ago, it was 1.5. (I get my blood work done every 6 weeks) My oncologist is not worried at all. At 2.0, you are still "normal." See what you're next reading is, and if you are worried, discuss it with your doctor. For now, enjoy your Memorial Day !!! Andre
2/10/14 - Colon resect
2/13 - DX- Stage IIIb
6 of 18 lymph nodes cancerous
3/7 - Port placed
3/11 - FOLFOX (12 rds w/full oxi)
8/14 - Chemo finish
8/25 - CT- Inc
9/5 - clean PET
12/10- clean CT

3/2/15 - Clean colonoscopy & port removed
3/4 - clean CT
9/21- clean CT

3/23/16 - clean CT

2/22/17- clean CT

3/21/18 - clean CT
4/1 - clean colonoscopy

3/11/19 - clean CT
9/23 - Five-year release - Annual visits now !

4/13/23 - clean colonoscopy

ONE DAY AT A TIME !

ASTEPHENS33
Posts: 353
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:04 pm
Location: Seattle, Washington
Contact:

Re: CEA

Postby ASTEPHENS33 » Mon May 30, 2016 7:43 pm

I have a similar situation. I personally think that trend can be an important factor and did go back to see my oncologist. I was diagnosed stage IIIc in 2005, have been NED since surgery. CEA prior to diagnosis was under 1. During chemo it went as high as 6, but by a year after chemo it was down under 1. (Increase CEA during chemo is expected, which is why some doctors do not measure CEA regularly during treatment.) In the past three years, however, my CEA has progressively gone up from under 1 to 1.4 to 1.8. (I get tested yearly, primarily for my own piece of mind.) My oncologist is not particularly concerned about the increase, but suggested I retest in 6 months. If it is still going up, they plan to do a pill endoscopy. (CEA can be affected not just by chemo, but by the numerous things, like the test lab.).

schrades2003
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:44 pm
Facebook Username: Christine Rebecca

Re: CEA

Postby schrades2003 » Sun Jun 26, 2016 12:01 am

What were you CEA numbers when you were first diagnosed? Mine was 25.6 and is currently down to 4.6 but I have had it below 1.5
DD @ 29 Aug 2014
Metastasized to Liver, Lymph Nodes, and Lungs

Dori W
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:30 pm
Facebook Username: Dori Woodhouse

Re: CEA

Postby Dori W » Mon Jun 27, 2016 2:42 pm

It was 4.0 when I was diagnosed, so not very high. Having said that, I've calmed down considerably, and I just have a little nagging worry at the back of my mind now. Not a big deal--having a little worry at the back of my mind is nothing new! I will, of course, be very interested in my next result six months from now.
Diagnosed stage 3C signet ring colon cancer in May, 2008
14 out of 18 positive lymph nodes
Final treatment in November, 2008
NED ever since
I used to have an account under "Dori," but I've lost access to it.
You can view my old posts here: search.php?author_id=1446&sr=posts


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