Cea question

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Need2talk
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:24 pm
Facebook Username: Janicejones

Cea question

Postby Need2talk » Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:05 pm

I have seen most protocol for Cea test is three months after surgery. I had my colon resection in November. Stage 1 cancer and my dr wants Cea test every 6 months/ colonoscopy and ct scan yearly. Have any of you waited 6 months for Cea test after surgery.

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Cea question

Postby CRguy » Mon Apr 24, 2017 8:29 pm

I was on the 3 month plan but started @ Stage IIIc so different circumstances AND
CEA was never a marker for me so I didn't care anyway
I wanted the CT scans, the rest of the blood tests, CA19-9 and c-scopes !

Cheers
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

Violet
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:43 am

Re: Cea question

Postby Violet » Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:19 am

Hi Janice,

The surgeon my husband saw initially recommended CEA every 6 months (stage one rectal cancer, LAR, T2NOMO, no chemo or radio) and we specifically requested it be done more frequently and he was very happy to arrange that. Another option would be to get your primary care doctor (GP) to arrange CEA testing in between CEAs ordered by your surgeon or oncologist.

There is no consensus regarding the frequency of CEA testing- either 3 monthly or six monthly is considered reasonable and I think it depends a bit on your personality and whether you will feel better or worse going through the anxiety of having the test every twelve weeks. If it will make you more comfortable, push for it! It should be no skin off their nose and its your life.

Violet

Deb m
Posts: 558
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:08 am

Re: Cea question

Postby Deb m » Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:49 am

For the first year and a half after surgery, we had a cea done every 3 months, but that was for stage II.

tarheelmom
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:55 pm

Re: Cea question

Postby tarheelmom » Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:41 am

I am also Stage I. So far my CEA was checked at 3 month intervals for the 1st 6 months, and now I'm on 4 month intervals. Upcoming colonoscopy/CT scan in June (1 year post reversal).
52 y at dx, mom to 4
DX: RC on 2/22/2016
Stage I, T2N0M0, 0/32 LN
23 mm x 7 mm moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma
3 cm from anal verge
4/12/16: ULAR, TME, & temp ileostomy
6/14/16: ileo reversal

CatzinDJ
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:06 pm

Re: Cea question

Postby CatzinDJ » Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:14 pm

Stage 1. Every 6 months.
53 & Female
DX: Rectal Cancer (RC) diagnosed in Thailand
Tumor Location: Rectum
Tumor type: invasive adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 4 mm
Tumor grade: low grade
Baseline CEA value (4.46) 5/2016
CEA 6/2/2016 4.8
Lynch- Negative.
LAR 7/13/2016 in Seatle, Wa
Home 7/18/2016.
CEA 12/9/2016 2.8
CEA 6/8/2017 5.6
Colonoscopy and Cat scan June 2017 NED
CEA 3/2018 2.9
TB latent recently diagnosed.

SurvivorsSpouse
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 12:38 pm

Re: Cea question

Postby SurvivorsSpouse » Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:58 am

Standard of care for low risk Stage 1 patients is every 6 months.

Need2talk
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:24 pm
Facebook Username: Janicejones

Re: Cea question

Postby Need2talk » Sat May 13, 2017 10:16 pm

Thanks everyone. I go this week for my 6 month follow up and bloodwork!

MKC70
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 8:39 pm

Re: Cea question

Postby MKC70 » Sat May 20, 2017 9:28 pm

So.... I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer stage 1. The gastro ordered a CEA blood test. I didn't know this until I looked on my online medical chart. He ordered this a over a month ago and never mentioned it. I just want to ask and clarify 1)- Is this something that would be helpful for me? 2) Is this something that is important for me although I have had no surgery or any treatments? To be honest EVERY test I have had, MRI, CT, Endoscopic Ultrasound, flexible sigmoidoscopy etc. has shown NOTHING. That is why I have opted for no surgery at this time. I am just trying to get a plan in place for monitoring, but no one seems to want to help. Surgeons want to do surgery, oncologist I met with once and said IF it was stage 2 we would do some treatments, but it is not. Trying to get a plan of attack here! Should a CEA help ?

CatzinDJ
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:06 pm

Re: Cea question- MCK70

Postby CatzinDJ » Sun Jun 11, 2017 2:23 am

Did you get a second opinion for other oncologist?
53 & Female
DX: Rectal Cancer (RC) diagnosed in Thailand
Tumor Location: Rectum
Tumor type: invasive adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 4 mm
Tumor grade: low grade
Baseline CEA value (4.46) 5/2016
CEA 6/2/2016 4.8
Lynch- Negative.
LAR 7/13/2016 in Seatle, Wa
Home 7/18/2016.
CEA 12/9/2016 2.8
CEA 6/8/2017 5.6
Colonoscopy and Cat scan June 2017 NED
CEA 3/2018 2.9
TB latent recently diagnosed.

ChiMama
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 8:41 pm
Location: PHX

Re: Cea question

Postby ChiMama » Sun Jun 11, 2017 10:34 pm

I was Stage 1 (T2N0M0) but have a nodule on my lung that's being watched, so I get bloodwork every 3 months, CT 6 months. Pulmonary onc said not to worry about the nodule but we're still keeping an eye on it. Also watching a nodule on my thyroid.

MKC70 - I'm curious, if every test shows nothing, how was the CC Stage 1 diagnosis made?
4/21/16 First Colonoscopy @59
DX high grade dysplasia
Fibroid uterus, liver cysts, lung nodules
6/17/16 Open surgery: hysterectomy, X 12.5cm sigmoid, 29 LN
T2N0M0 Stage 1 Mod diff adeno 5.2cm x 4.1. Gyne benign, Lynch neg
CT 7/27/16 Ground Glass & spiculated lung nodules, thyroid nods, watching.
2017/18/19 Scopes: polyps. Scans stable
2019 Endo: hiatal hernia. 2 breast biopsies, benign
5/20 GGN 1.1cm. Biopsy: adenocarcinoma/primary lung cancer. Robotic VATS upper left lobe. 1A
Mama to a rescue Chihuahua


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