CEA update

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NZJay
Posts: 640
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2013 3:00 pm
Location: NZ

CEA update

Postby NZJay » Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:50 pm

Just posting as I've had a few people PM me about my CEA, which has remained fairly high and gradually trended up despite being NED on scans.

Started 8.4 at diagnosis; 4.0 after chemo finished; got as high as 5.3 last year.

I am really happy as my most recent CEA test showed a drop for the first time since 2015!

Still sitting above the "normal range limit" of 3.0, but any downward trend makes me feel more confident.

While my doctors can't give definite answers, my suspicion is the CEA has remained high due to a combination of the following:
-ex smoker
-regular weight trainer
-ongoing issues with hernia mesh pain (in 2017 this pain has significantly reduced)

:!: Only other news is my surgical team has agreed to give me another annual CT scan. In my country, they usually stop scanning colon cancer at 3 years NED. I made them agree to a 4th scan which will take place around November / December.

That's all from me - my best wishes to everyone :)
11-13 Dx CC
SPS T4b(touched stomach organ),N1(3/23),M0(Stage 3B)
11-13: resect + partial gastrect
2-14: 1 Tx Cape + Oxy; renal failure, colitis
4-14: 7 Tx Capecitabine
1-15: clear CT
7-15: clear scope
1-16: clear CT
3-17: clear CT
10-17: clear scope (5 year gap now!)
CEA@dx: 8.4 / 6-15: 4.0 / 10-15: 4.2 / 2-16: 4.9 / 7-16: 4.9 / 11-16: 5.0 / 6-17: 4.5
NED since resection

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: CEA update

Postby Lee » Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:22 pm

AWESOME :D

So happy for you, sounds like a good follow up appointment. Especially the CEA drop.

Good luck with your next scans,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

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NZJay
Posts: 640
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2013 3:00 pm
Location: NZ

Re: CEA update

Postby NZJay » Wed Aug 09, 2017 2:47 pm

Thanks Lee :)
It seems like a minor thing, but that creeping CEA has really eaten away at my brain, so it's a great feeling to see it drop at last.

It made me laugh - at this appointment the registrar didn't even talk about cancer. They seemed more interested in the hernia mesh and pain issues.
11-13 Dx CC
SPS T4b(touched stomach organ),N1(3/23),M0(Stage 3B)
11-13: resect + partial gastrect
2-14: 1 Tx Cape + Oxy; renal failure, colitis
4-14: 7 Tx Capecitabine
1-15: clear CT
7-15: clear scope
1-16: clear CT
3-17: clear CT
10-17: clear scope (5 year gap now!)
CEA@dx: 8.4 / 6-15: 4.0 / 10-15: 4.2 / 2-16: 4.9 / 7-16: 4.9 / 11-16: 5.0 / 6-17: 4.5
NED since resection

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Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

Re: CEA update

Postby Kick'nAssCancer'sAss » Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:39 pm

Hey Jay

Great news about CEA. I know the feeling with the fluctuating numbers. I had bloodwork yesterday for my six month check next week. My onc always says CEA is just a number and it is the trend she cares about. Told me I spend too much energy fixating on the number. She says that she will tell me when to start worrying. I am curious though how lifting weights can elevate CEA. I am assuming muscle inflammation.
53M Dx RC Halloween 2013
CT & BONE scan
MRI/T3N0M0 1 suspicious LN
5 wks chemo/rad
LAR open TME Feb 26/14
temp bag
0/24 nodes pCR/pathological
Folfox (8) Mar 28-Jul 4 /14
Aug/14 clear CT scan
Aug 27/14 reversal
Feb/15 clear scope
July/15 Feb/16 Feb/17 Feb/18 clear CT scans
Feb/18 clear scope
Sept 19 clear CT scan & DISCHARGED :P
Mar/23 clear scope
CEA 1.6 @ dx
1.6,1.4,1.7,2.4,2.9, 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7
2.7 Sept 19
0-4 normal
https://kickingasscancersass.blogspot.com/

mariane
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:16 pm

Re: CEA update

Postby mariane » Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:07 pm

It is always nice when it is going down.

I am singing : It's going down, down, down... :)

Congratulations!
mom of now 14 years old twins, dx @ 40 in 6/2015 with upper rectal cancer, 10+ liver mets, CEA 140
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016

I praise God for every day with my family!

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

Re: CEA update

Postby Deb m » Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:10 am

Jay,

My husbands cea jumped around a lot also, some times above the 3.0 normal range. He has never smoked and is otherwise a pretty healthy guy. I must be a T4 thing? I'm glad that they will do a 4th scan just to be sure. Your well on your way to NEDville forever!

Debbie

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

Re: CEA update

Postby SurvivorsSpouse » Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:13 am

My wife's has done the same thing, but her scans have been NED. On the last scan, the onc sent it back for reinterpretation by a second radiologist just to make sure.

He can't explain it, but told her that odds are on her side with the passing time. 4.5 years out from stage 2A.


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