CEA levels and different labs

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

CEA levels and different labs

Postby CatzinDJ » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:24 pm

My first CEA test was done in Thailand, and it was 4.56.
The second one, done at Seattle Care Cancer Alliance, two months later was 5.8
The third one done by Quest was 2.8 in December 2016.
The fourth one at SCCA was 5.9. June 2017
This month, back at Quest labs, it was 2.9. March 2017.

Are the different scales depending on the labs? I imagine if I tested at SCCA, I would test 5 something, not 2 something.
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.

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

Re: CEA levels and different labs

Postby CRguy » Fri Mar 30, 2018 9:44 pm

I posted into your other topic ....
BUTT .... the same lab using the same technology ...
SHOULD test with the same level of confidence and reliability, within their own "normal" ranges.
IF they have changed protocols they should have told you, as there will be individual variances between methods, and local lab "normals"

SO, IF you are looking at Thailand, SCCA and Quest values ... you may very well have three different test methods and lab normal ranges,
It is most likely it could be lab variations and latent TB issues and NOT ... cancer !

JMO : serial results from SCCA ( 5.8-5.9 ) and Quest ( 2.8-2.9 ) values/variations are likely not significant anyway ..... JMO
SO I would get your Docs on the case and figure out what the exact values are for you at this point.

Cheers and best wishes
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

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O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: CEA levels and different labs

Postby O Stoma Mia » Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:15 pm

Here is a discussion topic that might be of interest to you:

What is "normal" CEA?
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54299

Victim of Roche vs Bayer CEA measuring
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10772&p=79467#p79467

If you want to see more discussion topics on CEA you can look here:
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51836&p=404364#p404364

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

Re: CEA levels and different labs

Postby CatzinDJ » Sun Apr 01, 2018 11:49 am

Thank you both for the good information. I couldn't get back up to Seattle for the last test, but I will next time I am in the States.
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.


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