CEA Levels

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Punky44
Posts: 498
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:29 pm

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Punky44 » Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:52 am

Sorry for this setback. I hope you and your doc can come up with a plan to get you back to NED.
Caregiver to my amazing mom (68 at dx)
10/1/18 DX with rectal cancer; CEA 17
T3N2M0
Total neoadjuvant therapy:
8 rounds Folfox 11/5/18 - 2/11/19
Short course radiation 3/14/19 - 3/20/19
Robotically assisted laparoscopic LAR 3/21/19
Pathology report says yT2N0M0 with 0/38 nodes
6/28/19 Reversal and port out
CEA 2.1; 1.9; 2.6; 2.8; 2.3; 2.4; 3.0; 3.4; 3.1; 3.4; 3.0; 3.1; 2.6
Latest update: 8/21/23 Clear CT with CEA 2.6!

Me: 34, first colonoscopy 11/16/18—normal! Come back in 5 years.

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Beckster » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:31 am

Just got my bloodwork back...cea went from 2.5 to 3.1. Not happy :evil: I go to Labcorp for my bloodwork and I noticed that the CEA test changed from "Roche methology" to "Roche Diagnostics Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)" Even though I am still in normal range, I am concerned. Does anyone know about this immunoassy? Is it different from the previous? This was my first test for 2019...the one in 12/2018 used the Roche methology.
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby NHMike » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:35 am

Beckster wrote:Just got my bloodwork back...cea went from 2.5 to 3.1. Not happy :evil: I go to Labcorp for my bloodwork and I noticed that the CEA test changed from "Roche methology" to "Roche Diagnostics Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)" Even though I am still in normal range, I am concerned. Does anyone know about this immunoassy? Is it different from the previous? This was my first test for 2019...the one in 12/2018 used the Roche methology.


I do not know about these specific tests but the I got CEA tests at my local hospital and the scale for normal was different from Dana Farber. I guess that you could look for the normal ranges and then try to scale.
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

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Beckster » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:42 am

NHMike wrote:
Beckster wrote:Just got my bloodwork back...cea went from 2.5 to 3.1. Not happy :evil: I go to Labcorp for my bloodwork and I noticed that the CEA test changed from "Roche methology" to "Roche Diagnostics Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)" Even though I am still in normal range, I am concerned. Does anyone know about this immunoassy? Is it different from the previous? This was my first test for 2019...the one in 12/2018 used the Roche methology.


I do not know about these specific tests but the I got CEA tests at my local hospital and the scale for normal was different from Dana Farber. I guess that you could look for the normal ranges and then try to scale.


Mike...reference range is the same...the type of testing assay changed.
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby NHMike » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:45 am

Beckster wrote:Mike...reference range is the same...the type of testing assay changed.


I think that it would concern me then. The same thing happened to me and it eventually went above the normal range and the oncologist ordered a CT scan which found nothing. It later went down. I'm pretty sure that the rise in CEA was due to a big increase in exercise. But it bothered me until it went back down to normal (after ending the big increase in exercise). I wish that we had a list of things that caused it to rise.

It's really low now, about 9 months out.
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

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Beckster » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:49 am

NHMike wrote:
Beckster wrote:Mike...reference range is the same...the type of testing assay changed.


I think that it would concern me then. The same thing happened to me and it eventually went above the normal range and the oncologist ordered a CT scan which found nothing. It later went down. I'm pretty sure that the rise in CEA was due to a big increase in exercise. But it bothered me until it went back down to normal (after ending the big increase in exercise). I wish that we had a list of things that caused it to rise.

It's really low now, about 9 months out.



I have been exercising big time...training for my first 5k. I had a CT scan in Dec, but I will discuss this with him on Monday during my appt.
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby NHMike » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:53 am

Beckster wrote:
I have been exercising big time...training for my first 5k. I had a CT scan in Dec, but I will discuss this with him on Monday during my appt.


That must feel great. I am running but work has been keeping my mileage down.

I figured out that it was exercise as I did a chart of the CEA vs time and then noticed that it looked like my step graph. So I lined them up and the correlation was very high. I will see if I can find the charts or rebuild them.
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

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Rikimaroo » Wed Mar 13, 2019 11:22 am

Just left doctors office. I am MSS. So I am not a candidate for immunotherapy, which he mentioned when I asked about my genetic.

He said he is not worried about lung met as he can use radiation for that but more concerned about local recurrence in pelvic area by rectum.

Starting chemo next week this time folfiri of four cycles.this all stinks but praying to get back to Ned and hope we can do surgery for the recurrence in pelvic region.i don’t mind permanent bag At all that we don’t have to deal with the unpredictability of going to the bathroom like I have been after ileostomy reversal
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby NHMike » Wed Mar 13, 2019 11:26 am

Rikimaroo wrote:Just left doctors office. I am MSS. So I am not a candidate for immunotherapy, which he mentioned when I asked about my genetic.

He said he is not worried about lung met as he can use radiation for that but more concerned about local recurrence in pelvic area by rectum.

Starting chemo next week this time folfiri of four cycles.this all stinks but praying to get back to Ned and hope we can do surgery for the recurrence in pelvic region.i don’t mind permanent bag At all that we don’t have to deal with the unpredictability of going to the bathroom like I have been after ileostomy reversal


I'm glad to hear that your oncologist is confident on the lung met. I guess you will meet with a surgeon for the other one?
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

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Rikimaroo » Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:56 pm

The other one is the biggest concern cause its close to the bone, or where it originally started, rectal area. More complex when it comes to surgery. He wants me to do the FOLFIRI and then we can review afterwards to see what to do next. He says the colorectal surgeon will not do surgery until the lung met is taking care of then we can focus on the other area.
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby stu » Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:15 pm

Sounds like a good plan . Get good shrinkage and better margins .
Take special 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 .

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Rikimaroo » Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:55 pm

It's going to be tough getting chemo right after getting an ileostomy reversal in October of 2018. Still getting use to how things are, but sometimes I go more often then not. Hate to tie up the bathroom at the chemo facility LOL...:(
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

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

Re: CEA Levels

Postby stu » Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:09 pm

That does sound tough but others will understand you have a need outwith your control . It’s not easy navigating all these factors . We had a terrible time on the way to a scan once and the fluid seemed to play havoc with my mum . All caught on CCTV too!!

Do they use the “ ties” system for ileostomies in your area ? Not applicable for you but just wondered as I noticed a few trials here .

Chemo has done a wonderful job turning my mum’s tumours around . Holding out for the same for you .
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 .

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Rikimaroo » Thu Mar 14, 2019 10:14 am

I am not really sure Stu about the ties thing. Never heard of it actually, so I guess not maybe LOL :(.....

I know others have done FOLFIRI on here, can you give me some tips on how to deal with it. I hope its better then Oxaliplatin, well I know nueropahty will not be an issue or cold sensitivity. Being that I had Ileostomy reversal not to long ago, some helpful tips would be appreciated. Also I know we are all different and it might not affect me the same way it affected others, but just so i can be more knowledgeable about it, would appreciate. Thanks.
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

Pyro
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:40 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: CEA Levels

Postby Pyro » Thu Mar 14, 2019 7:06 pm

Rikimaroo wrote:I am not really sure Stu about the ties thing. Never heard of it actually, so I guess not maybe LOL :(.....

I know others have done FOLFIRI on here, can you give me some tips on how to deal with it. I hope its better then Oxaliplatin, well I know nueropahty will not be an issue or cold sensitivity. Being that I had Ileostomy reversal not to long ago, some helpful tips would be appreciated. Also I know we are all different and it might not affect me the same way it affected others, but just so i can be more knowledgeable about it, would appreciate. Thanks.


I got muscle spasms at the end of the infusion for a couple of hours, Ativan was the only thing that helped. Everyone gets the runs on it, except me, I got constipated. All my other issues were with the erbitux/vectibux I got immediately prior to the chemo.
Aug 2015- Stage 4 CC with liver Mets(38/m)
Sep 2015- Avastin/Folfox/Iron
Dec 2015-Not liver surgery candidate
Jan 2016- Erbitux/Folfiri, 2nd opinion at MDA in TX
Feb 2016 -MDA liver surgery
Mar 2016 -30% of left lobe rem, PVE
May 2016 - 70% of liver rem
Jun 2016-Rad
Jan 2017-perm colost @MDA
Jul 2017-Erb/FOLFURI
Nov 2017 -Lung & Liver ablations@MDA
Jan 2018 -Xeloda & Avastin mx
Jul 2018-Avast/FOLFURI
Sep 2018-Rad
Mar 2019 - Keytruda fail
Jun 2019 - FOLFURI
Aug 2019 - No more, quality time!


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