What is it with CEA levels?

[teri3]

Anybody have insights into low CEA levels and a confirmed dx of colon cancer. I've been dxed with a metastasis to both lungs and my CEA level is 1.4. I'm curious if anyone as insight into why sometimes CEA levels remain low? My doc said my CEA never has been above normal.

[DarknessEmbraced]

My CEA levels were low before surgery and they continue to be really low. My CA 125 is tested and it was consistently high except for my last blood test in May where it was normal. I'm sorry that you have metastasis to both lungs!*hugs* CEA isn't always an indicator for everyone is what I've been told.

[AppleTree]

My blood work never shows any signs of cancer. Now that you have a diagnosis, just move forward. No use wondering why your blood didn't show signs of disease.

[GrouseMan]

Everyone's tumor is distinctly different and only show typically gross similarities based on type of cancer, and some gene mutations. Your tumor is very different from my wife's for instance. Unfortunately - they did not do a CEA test prior to her resection. But afterwards it was 125. Its been a good marker for her. But this is seldom the case for everyone. You will find some tumors generate a lot of free CEA running around loose in the blood stream. I have heard of CEA's in the thousands. But most folks with CRC it stays at or near normal. There are other markers such as CA-125, and CA-19.9 that are better for some folks. Different tumors secrete different mixes of proteins. Also remember Mets are completely different genetically from primary tumors as well. Its possible a Primary might have had elevated CEA's but the mets do not because they are very different and contain a different mix of mutations than the primary did.

As mentioned. Don't dwell on the fact that its not a marker for your cancer. You might want to see if one of the others mentioned is.

Regards,

GrouseMan

[JAZZToo]

When I had colon cancer stage III, my CEA levels were always normal. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer my CEA and CA 19-9 were not only normal but at the lowest level of normal even tho I was Stage IV with a large met on the liver. However after a year and a half the both rose to abnormal high levels. Tumors do mutate and it's possible that mine mutated to a form that does throw off CEA and CA19-9.
It's best to depend on your scans, CAT or PET to see if you have progression, regression or stabilization of your cancer.

Leslie
Lynch Syndrome
2014 Pancreatic Cancer Stage IV (currently on 5th line of treatment-been on FOLFIRINOX, GEMZAR/ABRAXANE, liver embolizAtion, clinical trial with MEDI4736, and now ONIVYDE)
2003 Colon Cancer Stage III
1998 Endometrial Cancer Stage I

[Nik Colon]

My CEA started at 4.9 and I was stage 4. You can see a few numbers in my sig, it's always been under 5. Soo, it's not a great marker for me either. I wanted to do the CA19-9 test, but unfortunately insurance does not cover it which is often the case for tumor markers. Usually they have 1 set one for each type of cancer which is always done, like CEA for colon (at least in the US), so I could have my CA19-9 tested, but would have to pay out of pocket.

[ronswife]

Anybody have insights into low CEA levels and a confirmed dx of colon cancer. I've been dxed with a metastasis to both lungs and my CEA level is 1.4. I'm curious if anyone as insight into why sometimes CEA levels remain low? My doc said my CEA never has been above normal.

Hello, I see a lot of references on this board to CEA levels. May I ask what they are?

Thanks Much!

[Nik Colon]

Anybody have insights into low CEA levels and a confirmed dx of colon cancer. I've been dxed with a metastasis to both lungs and my CEA level is 1.4. I'm curious if anyone as insight into why sometimes CEA levels remain low? My doc said my CEA never has been above normal.

Hello, I see a lot of references on this board to CEA levels. May I ask what they are?

Thanks Much!

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is a protein normally found in the tissue of a developing baby in the womb. The blood level of this protein disappears or becomes very low after birth. In adults, an abnormal level of CEA may be a sign of cancer.

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/enc ... 003574.htm

The normal range is 0 to 2.5 micrograms per liter (mcg/L). In smokers, the normal range is 0 to 5 mcg/L.

In smokers, slightly higher values may be considered normal.

[ronswife]

Thanks SO much Nik Colon!