HI, I have posted before regarding CEA's so I hope you all don't mind another question on the subject. I am so confused about CEA levels and follow up for my particular colon cancer. This is my history:
Stage 1
Resection 9/26/16
No Chemo required
CEA: 9/26/16 1.5
CT 9/13/16 Clear with 2mm node on lung
low grade T2 tumor
0/28 lymph node's (no cancer found)
CT 3/16 clear with 2mm node on lung
CT scan was 9/17 clear with 2mm node on lung
CEA: Every three months:
10/16 .3
12/17 .5
3/17 .6
6/17 .7
9/17 .7
12/17 .8
3/18 .9
This is my concern:
My doctor has been ordering CT every six months and CEA levels every three months. I just had all my blood work done and I am really concerned about it because my CEA is going up and not down. My GP ran a CEA with his lab on 3/1/18( different from the numbers above) and the CEA went from 0.3 to 1.1 in six months. My last CEA level from the oncologist (hospital lab) was on 2/27/18 and it read 0.9. So there is a little difference in the two readings. Both doctors GP and Oncologist are not that concerned but I am due for CT scan ordered by the oncologist. I have read all the guidelines for follow up on stage 1 colon cancer and I was hoping I could go a year without another CT scan instead of doing one right now. MY last CT was 9/6/17 and as now now I am 16 months since surgery. I went to get a second option and the oncologist wasn't too concerned about my CEA which he had the results from the hospital that had my reading as .3 to .9 over a 16 month period. He told me I could wait for the CT but he didn't know about the recent CEA from the GP which went form .3 to 1.1 in six months. This is causing me so much stress! I am concerned about my CEA levels never being the same or with no fluctuation (up or down) and all the radiation from the CT scans. Should I be concerned about my CEA and should I go get the CT scan now? When I read all the guidelines for follow up for stage 1 colon cancer it seems like I have been getting tested a little much. I had three CT scans in one year, 2 mammograms from year to year, recently I had a sinus infection that caused me to get sinus X-rays and MRI of the sinus and a reaction to antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. Is Is there anyone on this message board in the same situation as me with Stage 1 and no CHEMO just surgery?? This worry with the CEA levels is just to much. I know I have a 2mm node on my lung but it has been stable for a year. MY CEA was 1.5 day of surgery went down after and is slowly climbing so I am so confused about how to feel about all the CEA levels and frequent CT scans( within a six month period). Thanks for any advice and hope all is well with everyone on this message board!!