Hi all,
Has anyone heard from their doctor that CEA can rise due to gastritis or other benign issues? My doc said not many things make it rise other than marijuana, but I’m hoping there is hope that my recent rise is a false alarm. I have gastritis flare ups. CEA at diagnosis: 6 , 3 months after surgery/chemo : 2.4 , 6 months after: 3.7
Gastritis CEA
Gastritis CEA
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
Re: Gastritis CEA
Koreysue wrote: My doc said not many things make it rise other than marijuana,.....
Respectfully, I disagree with your Doc ... completely
MANY things can cause false positive CEA increases, including ... BUTT ... NOT LIMITED to inflammation
just about anywhere in the body and especially in the chest ( which is why smokers have higher "normal level" ranges than non-smokers )
If he's referring to smoking weed as opposed to using the oils / edibles etc. then he got part of it right
There are lots of topics on the forum about CEA increases and you may wish to read thru them to see how unreliable CEA can sometimes be for some folks ( = ME ... not a marker for me ), different lab "normal" ranges, different testing methods etc.
BOTTOM LINE : if your Doc is concerned about keeping a watchful eye on your situation
THAT IS good !!!!
IF CEA is a marker for you ... then keep a close eye on it and get further testing done as needed
BUTT no actually, there are a lotta things which can cause CEA increase.
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
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
Re: Gastritis CEA
Thank you for your reply, CRguy. I also think that what the dr. said is a bit off. I’m fairly new to this so I don’t know how much to trust my CEA. I’ll read through as suggested. The doc wants more tests done though. I’m off to drink my bowel prep for my yearly colonoscopy in about fifteen minutes. Bleh!
And then he wants a PET scan next. Hoping to report back with an all clear.
Koreysue
And then he wants a PET scan next. Hoping to report back with an all clear.
Koreysue
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
-
O Stoma Mia
- Posts: 1709
- Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
- Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.
Re: Gastritis CEA
CRguy wrote:... There are lots of topics on the forum about CEA increases and you may wish to read thru them to see how unreliable CEA can sometimes be for some folks...
Possible false positives for elevated CEA
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=53135&p=419830#p419830
Some CEA threads 2005 to 2015
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=51836&p=404364#p404364
You should also realize that the CEA test is very non-specific for colorectal cancer. In other words, it is not useful at all for initially diagnosing a primary colorectal cancer tumor. If it were useful for detecting primary CRC tumors, then it would surely be included among the approved methods for screening for colorectal cancer. However, it is not included among the 7 approved methods for screening for colorectal cancer, and it has never been considered as a valid method for screening. Its only use is that it is occasionally valuable for detecting metastatic CRC, but only for certain patients for whom CEA is considered a "good marker".
https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/colorectal-cancer-screening2#tab
Re: Gastritis CEA
Update! Had my PET scan yesterday and it was clear! Phew 
Doc said maybe “we were just chasing shadows with the cea elevation.” I’ll take it. Now to ignore cancer for 3 months.
Off to celebrate!
Koreysue
Doc said maybe “we were just chasing shadows with the cea elevation.” I’ll take it. Now to ignore cancer for 3 months. Off to celebrate!
Koreysue
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan
Re: Gastritis CEA
Hey Koreysue,
Great news on the clear scan!
I'm certainly not trying to dismiss the usefulness of CEA altogether because it can indicate a problem in some cases. However, there are many things that can impact it. My CEA was in the low to mid 2 range when I was diagnosed with stage iv (liver mets). It was the lowest right after liver resection surgery (under 2) and has since been all over the place all the way up to 5.4. My oncologist was not concerned one bit and she's been doing this for decades. And all of my post surgery/chemo scans have been clear.
hiker
Great news on the clear scan!
I'm certainly not trying to dismiss the usefulness of CEA altogether because it can indicate a problem in some cases. However, there are many things that can impact it. My CEA was in the low to mid 2 range when I was diagnosed with stage iv (liver mets). It was the lowest right after liver resection surgery (under 2) and has since been all over the place all the way up to 5.4. My oncologist was not concerned one bit and she's been doing this for decades. And all of my post surgery/chemo scans have been clear.
hiker
Colonoscopy 2/17, 5cm tumor descending
Diagnosed stage iv, liver mets 3/17
Colon resection 3/17
Told surgery not an option, get my affairs in order
Meet w/MSK team 5/01/17
Folfox(3rds) 5/17-6/17
Liver resection/implant HAI pump 7/17
HAI pump chemo(5rds) 8/17-2/18
Folfiri+Vectibix(11rds) 8/17-2/18
Spot on chest CT 10/17
Lung biopsy (that was fun) 11/17
Nocardia bacterial infection w/spread to brain (this is serious) 11/17
IV antibiotics 12/17-2/18
Oral antibiotics 3/18-12/18
Clear of cancer since surgery
Diagnosed stage iv, liver mets 3/17
Colon resection 3/17
Told surgery not an option, get my affairs in order
Meet w/MSK team 5/01/17
Folfox(3rds) 5/17-6/17
Liver resection/implant HAI pump 7/17
HAI pump chemo(5rds) 8/17-2/18
Folfiri+Vectibix(11rds) 8/17-2/18
Spot on chest CT 10/17
Lung biopsy (that was fun) 11/17
Nocardia bacterial infection w/spread to brain (this is serious) 11/17
IV antibiotics 12/17-2/18
Oral antibiotics 3/18-12/18
Clear of cancer since surgery
-
crikklekay
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
- Location: Richmond, VA
Re: Gastritis CEA
Congrats on the clear PET scan! I had a similar freak out when I saw my husband's CEA number creeping up almost into the not-normal range, but the wonderful people here let me know not to be worried unless our doctors were worried because CEA levels are influenced by many factors. The Oncologist mentioned it was something to watch since if it kept going up it could be an issue, but that CEA can fluctuate with treatment. I totally understand the worry, and glad to see it was unfounded!
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo
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