CEA increasing trend

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Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:29 am

Hi All my friends,

Good day and wish you well.

I am just wondering if this CEA increasing trend is some alarming signal.

1.4 --> 1.5 --> 2.1 (3 month apart each test)

CEA trend as below:

1-Dec-2011 5.0 Colonoscopy found 20cm, 40cm, 50cm polyps and removed, 70cm found obstructing tumor & 65cm of colon resected by extended right hemicolectomy, lateral margin of 4.0cm away from the tumor
26-Sep-2012 1.9 2.5 month from last Chemo
26-Dec-2012 1.8 3 month from last CEA test
25-Apr-2013 3.2 4 month from last CEA test
19-Jul-2013 2.9 3 month from last CEA
11-Jan-2014 6.4 6 month from last CEA test
2-May-2014 18.6 Pre Op blood test test (Right Hepatectomy)
20-May-2014 4.3 admit small bowel obstruction
11-Jun-2014 3.2 Pre chemo CEA test
27-Feb-2015 2.8 1 month from last chemo
20-May-2015 2.0 3 month from last CEA
9-Sep-2015 2.0 3.5 month from last CEA
1-Dec-2015 1.7 3 month from last CEA
9-Mar-2016 1.9 3 month from last CEA
9-Jun-2016 1.8 3 month from last CEA
3-Aug-2016 1.8 2 month from last CEA
3-Nov-2016 1.4 3 month from last CEA
15-Mar-2017 1.5 4 month from last CEA
14-Jun-2017 2.1 3 month from last CEA


Wish you well.
GBU.
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby stu » Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:44 am

Hi.
Having watched my mum's CEA markers for eight years now, they do bounce around a bit. It trends up for a few readings and just when we think ok that's heading upwards it can suddenly drop down.
Take care ,
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

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

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Deb m » Fri Jun 16, 2017 7:46 am

My husbands also jumped around a lot. It was very nerve racking to say the least! Our oncologist told us that the numbers will usually double withing a couple of months if it is cancer. Your increases in numbers are very slight so I wouldn't worry to much at this point. Continue to watch I guess,

deb

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Fri Jun 16, 2017 7:58 am

Deb m wrote:My husbands also jumped around a lot. It was very nerve racking to say the least! Our oncologist told us that the numbers will usually double withing a couple of months if it is cancer. Your increases in numbers are very slight so I wouldn't worry to much at this point. Continue to watch I guess,

deb


Thanks deb! We will keep watch! It is encouraging to read your reply.
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Fri Jun 16, 2017 8:00 am

stu wrote:Hi.
Having watched my mum's CEA markers for eight years now, they do bounce around a bit. It trends up for a few readings and just when we think ok that's heading upwards it can suddenly drop down.
Take care ,
Stu


Thanks Stu!
I just couldn't help with the fear in me!
Thanks for your encouragement ! Gbu n mum!
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

Joannerogers
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2015 4:50 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Joannerogers » Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:01 pm

I too worry about my cea since it is a marker for me. Mine is on the upper limit of normal so until the next level is checked I'll be worrying. Can't help it.
53yo married 27 years, 2 children, 24 and 25
Diagnosed april 23,2015 rectosigmoid
Starting CEA 1845
Port placement and liver bx April 27
Folfox started april 29
Avastin added on May 6
Stage IV crc with mets to 50% of liver

10/13/15 dc'd transfusion #12...toxic
Pet/ct scan on 11/3/15
20% liver resected all margins clear 11/30/15
8/18/15 cea 21.
9/15/15 cea 13.9
10/13/15 cea 14.4
1/22/2016 cea 2.5
LAR 02/15/16 all clear

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:49 pm

Joannerogers wrote:I too worry about my cea since it is a marker for me. Mine is on the upper limit of normal so until the next level is checked I'll be worrying. Can't help it.


Hi Joanne,

Pray for your clear ct/pet. Thanks for being around, it is encouraging to me.

Gbu
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

lpas
Posts: 1010
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:11 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby lpas » Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:56 pm

I had a similar increase about a year ago, but then it seemed to come back down again (all my readings are in my signature below). Keeping fingers crossed that yours does the same.
11/14 Dx sigmoid CC @ 45yo
12/14 Colectomy + hysterectomy
Stage IIIB, T3N1bM0, 2/20 nodes, MSS, G2, KRAS(A146T), TP53, SMAD4, ERBB2, CEA 1.0
2/15-7/15 XELOX & celecoxib
2/19 clean scope
11/19 clean CT
Ongoing cimetidine & other targeted supplements
Mom to a 6 & 8yo

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Sat Jul 01, 2017 8:46 am

Hi Ipas,

Thanks for your useful info.
Great that you are doing good so far.
May God continue to bless you with good health !
Btw, you did quite frequent cea test, 19x in 2yrs. My onc is always ask for 3mo cea followup only.
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

User avatar
betsydoglover
Posts: 978
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:31 pm
Facebook Username: Betsy Lindh Williams
Location: Maryland - outside DC

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby betsydoglover » Sun Jul 02, 2017 6:00 pm

Oncologists are taught not to worry about CEA as long as it is in normal range - trend matters but only when it is going up outside of normal range.

Your Mom only has one outside of range CEA - that could be concerning but since the next one was fine, it appears t be just an anomaly. Lab error? Bad day for her? Who knows?

Take care,
Betsy
diag. Stage IV, 5/05, liver met
lap sigmoid colectomy, 6/05
6 cycles Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin (NED after 2)
11/08 9x13mm right lower lobe lung nodule; removed via VATS 4/09
NED
6 cycles Xeloda + Avastin
Avastin only 10/09-5/11
Still NED 06/18

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Sun Jul 02, 2017 11:47 pm

Hi Betsy,

Thanks for your good advice.
We plan followup CEA in 2 month time.
Pray for us.
GBU
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

Nextgen
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:38 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Nextgen » Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:28 pm

Hi All,

Mum CEA drop to 1.1
Praises be the Lord. Amen.
My mum 55yr on first diagnosis
Dx cc T3N2bM0 on Dec2011 CEA5.0, extended right hemicolectomy Dec2011, 12x Folfox CEA1.9,
Liver mets on Feb2014 CEA6.4, liver resection on May2014, 8x xeloda+cetuximab CEA2.8,
Colonoscopy Aug2016 NED
CT:
Jun2016 NED, CEA 1.8
Mar2018 NED
CEA:
1.4 Nov16
1.5 Mar17
2.1 Jun17
1.1 Aug17
2.7 Nov17
1.3 Dec17
1.8 Mar18
1.8 Jun18
1.6 Oct18
2.1 Feb19
1.7 Jun19
1.6 Oct19
1.6 Dec19
1.8 Mar20
2.3 Jun20
1.8, 2.3, 1.9, 2.0, 1.9 Aug21
God have mercy, bless & save mum! Amen!

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby NHMike » Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:13 pm

betsydoglover wrote:Oncologists are taught not to worry about CEA as long as it is in normal range - trend matters but only when it is going up outside of normal range.

Your Mom only has one outside of range CEA - that could be concerning but since the next one was fine, it appears t be just an anomaly. Lab error? Bad day for her? Who knows?

Take care,


Do you have a link to what values mean and what normal range is?
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

User avatar
JJH
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:26 am

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby JJH » Fri Aug 18, 2017 11:41 pm

NHMike wrote:...Do you have a link to what values mean and what normal range is?

The normal range depends on the particular assay or machine used for the test. Your lab report should indicate both the name of the assay/machine and the normal range for it. This might be in small print in a footnote or in small print in the right hand margin.

It is important to know which assay was used because normal ranges for diffrrent assays are different. For example, the Roche assay usually has a higher normal limit than most other assays.

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54299&p=431407#p431407

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51836&p=404364#p404364

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53135&p=419830#p419830
Last edited by JJH on Sat Aug 19, 2017 12:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
"The darkest hour is just before the dawn" - Thomas Fuller (1650)
●●●

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: CEA increasing trend

Postby Basil » Fri Aug 18, 2017 11:54 pm

Interesting. At my dx, I had a CEA at Baylor College of Medicine and it was normal. Three days later I had the test repeated at MDAnderson and it was slightly elevated, 7-8 IIRC. Never got an answer on the difference.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)


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