Lung met growth but low CEA?

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zephyr
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:31 am

Lung met growth but low CEA?

Postby zephyr » Sat Dec 09, 2017 11:23 am

My chemo has been stopped for the next few weeks while my oncologist considers other treatment options. The 5FU is no longer working, based upon growth/density of what are believed to be inoperable lung mets. But here's the strange thing, at least to me. My CEA has not risen ... in fact, it's lower than it's ever been, only 0.9. Has anyone else had that experience and what were your thoughts and results?
Nov-2009 Early stage CRC, routine colonoscopy
2010-2014 F/U colonoscopies, all clear
Jun-2016 CRC during F/U colonoscopy, surgery, Stage 4, KRAS, MSS
Aug-2016-May-2018 Folfox, 5FU, Folfiri & Avastin
Aug/Sep-2018 YAG laser surgeries (Germany), 11 nodules removed
Nov-2018 clean CT scan
Mar-2019 New lung nodules
Apr-2019 Dec-2020 Xeloda/Avastin, SBRT, cont. Xeloda/Avastin
Mar-2021 Forfiri/Avastin
Mar-2022 Ablation & Thoracotomy
Feb-2023 Folfiri & Avastin
Nov-2023 Xeloda & Avastin

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mypinkheaven
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 4:29 pm
Facebook Username: Sally Cunningham
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Re: Lung met growth but low CEA?

Postby mypinkheaven » Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:56 pm

zephyr wrote:My chemo has been stopped for the next few weeks while my oncologist considers other treatment options. The 5FU is no longer working, based upon growth/density of what are believed to be inoperable lung mets. But here's the strange thing, at least to me. My CEA has not risen ... in fact, it's lower than it's ever been, only 0.9. Has anyone else had that experience and what were your thoughts and results?


Unfortunately, CEA isn't always a good marker. My CEA never rose above normal even though I had a huge tumor growing in my uterus for 2 years. I now have many lung mets and normal CEA.

There are many treatments for lung mets depending on location and size. Right now, my mets are all under 1cc and I'm on a maintenance chemo regiment of 5fu + Erbitux. Many people stay stable on 5FU + Avastin. It would be the combining the 5FU with something else that may make it work for you. Procedures include SBRT radiation, RFA ablation and proton beam radiation. Mets need to be at least 1 to 1.5cc for this procedures according to what I've read.

Please update us when your oncologist comes up with a treatment plan.

Good luck!
MSS, KRAS Wild NRAS Mutated
9/2012 CRC IIB Lft Colectomy 0 lymph nodes 0 Chemo
10/2013 CT clear
11/15 CEA 2.7 to 4.6
11/15 Spread to uterus. Hysterectomy
2/16 Pelvic radiation 25, brachytherapy 3
4/16 - 6/16 Xeloda
6/16 CT Several lung nodules 5 mm
8/16 CT Nodules still present. Most stable. Some growth
11/16 Transfer to UCSD Moores
12/16 Folfox + Avastin failed
2/17 Folfiri + Erbitux
8/17 5FU+Erbitux No 5FU bolus
7/18 Spread to vagina
6/18 Folfiri + Avastin + Trametinib
6/18 CEA dropping

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

Re: Lung met growth but low CEA?

Postby Lee » Sun Dec 10, 2017 2:48 pm

Sorry to read your latest news. For many people, CEA is not always an indication of cancer activity. Especially with lung mets. Not sure where you are, butt there is a Dr, Rolle in Germany who has been successful with inoperable lung mets. He's has a procedure that has not been approved in the USA yet. They are also doing this same procedure in the UK in certain hospitals. Sophy, a member here, has had her lung mets removed by Dr. Rolle.

Hopefully other will chime in.

Good luck,

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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