Does anyone else on this forum have experience of levels this high?
CEA Levels >6000
CEA Levels >6000
Can anyone shed anymore light on CEA markers. My husband started at 1800.0 or so when they baselined him, then it increased to >6000 and last test was a reduction to 5888, we are awaiting his latest results. Anyway, my question is I know the normal range is <3, so that alarms me my husband's can be soooo much higher.
Does anyone else on this forum have experience of levels this high?
Does anyone else on this forum have experience of levels this high?
My Husband, Age 42 (Father to two children both < 10 years old)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
-
midlifemom
- Posts: 1358
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:58 am
- Location: NJ
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Can't say I have experience with numbers that high. But what I've heard over and over is that its the trend that counts. Keep watching the numbers and celebrate when they trend down.
Stage 3 cc - dx Jan '14 age 53, cea 2.9
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?
Re: CEA Levels >6000
There have been a very few with levels like that. One discussion was around units,
e.g. ng/mL = µg/L = 0.1 µg/dL. Units are important to several possible situations.
The CEA trend you have alone, the doctor's query is whether the cancer cells are still growing, or are necrosing and releasing CEA.
There are several measures or readings that might be helpful, especially in series.
1. the MCV values in the CBC (Complete Blood Count)
2. LDH, if any values were measured, ditto AFP, d-dimer, ESR, CRP
3. CA19-9 (CA199) used more in parts of Asia and Europe, often mistaken in the US as "just a marker for pancreatic cancer" - greatly wrong due to a lack of familiarity in depth. In the US CRC patients have to insist, or order it themselves online.
The MCV is a potential guide to dosing and effect over several treatments
LDH has clues to several processes
CA199 can help type/target the cancer and find better treatments
In certain cases, Erbitux has whacked really high CEA values. The blood tests are the quickest clues, KRAS testing is longer. Without any tests, the Erbitux has a small, fractional chance of usefulness on CRC patients. The CA199 is the fastest clue without a longer Kras test.
e.g. ng/mL = µg/L = 0.1 µg/dL. Units are important to several possible situations.
The CEA trend you have alone, the doctor's query is whether the cancer cells are still growing, or are necrosing and releasing CEA.
There are several measures or readings that might be helpful, especially in series.
1. the MCV values in the CBC (Complete Blood Count)
2. LDH, if any values were measured, ditto AFP, d-dimer, ESR, CRP
3. CA19-9 (CA199) used more in parts of Asia and Europe, often mistaken in the US as "just a marker for pancreatic cancer" - greatly wrong due to a lack of familiarity in depth. In the US CRC patients have to insist, or order it themselves online.
The MCV is a potential guide to dosing and effect over several treatments
LDH has clues to several processes
CA199 can help type/target the cancer and find better treatments
In certain cases, Erbitux has whacked really high CEA values. The blood tests are the quickest clues, KRAS testing is longer. Without any tests, the Erbitux has a small, fractional chance of usefulness on CRC patients. The CA199 is the fastest clue without a longer Kras test.
watchful, active researcher and caregiver for stage IVb/c CC. surgeries 4/10 sigmoid etc & 5/11 para-aortic LN cluster; 8 yrs immuno-Chemo for mCRC; now no chemo
most of 2010 Life Extension recommendations and possibilities + more, some (much) higher, peaking ~2011-12, taper chemo to almost nothing mid 2018, IV C-->2021. Now supplements
most of 2010 Life Extension recommendations and possibilities + more, some (much) higher, peaking ~2011-12, taper chemo to almost nothing mid 2018, IV C-->2021. Now supplements
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Yeah I think I understand that for the most part, it's just alarming seeing how his level is sooo much higher I mean it's not 10 more its thousands!!
My Husband, Age 42 (Father to two children both < 10 years old)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
Re: CEA Levels >6000
When my daughter was diagnosed hers was super high, like 4500. I thought she had heard wrong because on this board no one mentioned numbers that high but she was right. After surgery and chemo hers went to normal and never elevated again even when she knew she had peritoneal mets. But for her CA19-9 was a good marker, elevated with tumor growth and dropped with chemo. So CEA is maybe not the most reliable marker for all.
Mom to 28 yo daughter
colectomy 2/22/10, stage 3C, signet cell
7/2011 peritoneal mets
HIPEC September 2012, difficult recovery
Hospice 10/31/2012, Died 11/16/2012
colectomy 2/22/10, stage 3C, signet cell
7/2011 peritoneal mets
HIPEC September 2012, difficult recovery
Hospice 10/31/2012, Died 11/16/2012
-
Nik Colon
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Numbers that high are not as common, but not unheard of. I hope they keep dropping. Best wishes
-
Notyouravgbro
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:12 pm
Re: CEA Levels >6000
My levels were at 7300 when I was diagnosed. On the way down now (368 at last test). I agree it's the trend vs. the absolute numbers that are important. Hopefully his start to go back down.
DX stage 4 Colon Cancer 7/15. Numerous liver mets.
FOLFOX 8/15-current
HAI pump scheduled for Jan 2016
FOLFOX 8/15-current
HAI pump scheduled for Jan 2016
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Notyouravgbro wrote:My levels were at 7300 when I was diagnosed. On the way down now (368 at last test). I agree it's the trend vs. the absolute numbers that are important. Hopefully his start to go back down.
Thanks for sharing! That's encouraging. I am anxiously awaiting next results!
My Husband, Age 42 (Father to two children both < 10 years old)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Latest results as of 08/02/16 = 2759.6 for CEA, so its going in the right direction for now! 
My Husband, Age 42 (Father to two children both < 10 years old)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Great news!
05/23/14 DH dx Stage 3B rectal ca (age 41)
6/2014 chemorad | 10/2014 LAR, all nodes clean
FOLFOX x 10 | VATS/lung met | ileo reversal
09/15 local recurrence
10/15 colostomy
11/15 FOLFIRI x 4, major growth
02/16 tumor debulked
Stable ten months on Xeloda/Avastin
Growth on clinical trials NCT02024607 (BBI608 + FOLFIRI), NCT02817633 (anti-PD-1 + anti-TIM-3), NCT03175224 (c-Met inhibitor)
09/27/2018 started hospice
02/07/19 died
6/2014 chemorad | 10/2014 LAR, all nodes clean
FOLFOX x 10 | VATS/lung met | ileo reversal
09/15 local recurrence
10/15 colostomy
11/15 FOLFIRI x 4, major growth
02/16 tumor debulked
Stable ten months on Xeloda/Avastin
Growth on clinical trials NCT02024607 (BBI608 + FOLFIRI), NCT02817633 (anti-PD-1 + anti-TIM-3), NCT03175224 (c-Met inhibitor)
09/27/2018 started hospice
02/07/19 died
Re: CEA Levels >6000
Down to 1,600 today at start of 9th round
My Husband, Age 42 (Father to two children both < 10 years old)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
DX: (RC)
Tumor Location: Lower rectum, and 7cm from anal verge.
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma;
Tumor size (5 cm)
Tumor grade: G2: Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade)
Stage IVB
Positive lymph nodes: Several Pararectal
Mets: Innumerable Spots on Liver & 2 small spots on Lung
Baseline CEA 1833/6308/5558/latest 1620
KRAS Mutation
Chemotherapy (if any): 5FU & Avastin (11 treatments in as of 10/10/16)
-
Jack&KatiesMommy
- Posts: 640
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
- Location: Columbus, OH
Re: CEA Levels >6000
That is fantastic!!!
Cynthia
Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,
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