Should we move the scan up?

[jp81]

Dear mom has the following increasing CEA trend over the last 6 months. Her case history is in the signature.

Lab 1: 3.6, 4.9, 5.1
Lab 2: 3.6, 3.85, 4.66

The doctor wants to wait for one more month and do another CEA before the scan. But we're worried if that'll lead to wider, inoperable spread.

Any advice is appreciated.

[stu]

Hi ,
Having experienced the benefits of early detection I think it’s reasonable with a continuing upward trend to seek a scan .

Saying that a one month delay is nothing over here so I would not get too anxious . That’s the way our healthcare works .

On a reassuring note my mum’s is currently sitting at around 5.2 to 5.4 for the last six months . It suddenly popped up a bit . She had a scanned at the start of the rise. And just had another scan but nothing showing . We are thinking a blood clot is responsible.

Hope it goes well for her .

Take care,
Stu

[jp81]

Thanks stu. Although I'm a little anxious, I think we'll wait for a month. Best wishes to your mom and family.

[juliej]

Both benign (harmless) and malignant (cancerous) conditions can increase the CEA level, so that's something to keep in mind when you have a slow rise like this one. Has she had an infection lately? A cold or a flu?

I think a one month delay for the CT scan is fine since the changes are minor. If the number was doubling on every test, than I would ask for an immediate scan.

Hope this puts your mind at ease!
Juliej

[jp81]

Thanks Julie. Scan is coming up 4 weeks from now. Hoping for the best.

[fumaros]

Had a similar issue. Of course in hindsight I wish I had moved up my scan. But even after the scan, things still moved slowly or shall I say not fast enough to satisfy me. So in some ways, waiting a month might not make to much of a difference, but it can be comforting to say you listened to your instincts if it turns out to be significant.

[NHMike]

I had a rising CEA through Adjuvant Chemo and it went above normal so the oncologist ordered a scan which showed nothing (though it's a relief). It turned out to be exercise related as I increased my exercise regularly while I was undergoing chemo. I think that there are a few known things that aren't cancer-related that can push it up. My oncologist said that he didn't really start worrying until the high-teens.

[LPL]

I had a rising CEA through Adjuvant Chemo and it went above normal so the oncologist ordered a scan which showed nothing (though it's a relief). It turned out to be exercise related as I increased my exercise regularly while I was undergoing chemo. I think that there are a few known things that aren't cancer-related that can push it up. My oncologist said that he didn't really start worrying until the high-teens.

NHMike, have you seen any reseach papers about this, that exercise can give ’false’ high cancer marker test results?

[NHMike]

I had a rising CEA through Adjuvant Chemo and it went above normal so the oncologist ordered a scan which showed nothing (though it's a relief). It turned out to be exercise related as I increased my exercise regularly while I was undergoing chemo. I think that there are a few known things that aren't cancer-related that can push it up. My oncologist said that he didn't really start worrying until the high-teens.

NHMike, have you seen any reseach papers about this, that exercise can give ’false’ high cancer marker test results?

I have not seen any research on it. I only noticed the correlation when I charted the CEA and compared it to a chart of my physical activity.

I would doubt that there would be any research given that my demographic doesn't ramp up their exercise levels through chemo. Most people don't exercise. I would guess that people exercise less as they move through chemo as the side-effects get worse.

[LPL]

I had a rising CEA through Adjuvant Chemo and it went above normal so the oncologist ordered a scan which showed nothing (though it's a relief). It turned out to be exercise related as I increased my exercise regularly while I was undergoing chemo. I think that there are a few known things that aren't cancer-related that can push it up. My oncologist said that he didn't really start worrying until the high-teens.

NHMike, have you seen any reseach papers about this, that exercise can give ’false’ high cancer marker test results?

I have not seen any research on it. I only noticed the correlation when I charted the CEA and compared it to a chart of my physical activity.

I would doubt that there would be any research given that my demographic doesn't ramp up their exercise levels through chemo. Most people don't exercise. I would guess that people exercise less as they move through chemo as the side-effects get worse.

Thanks for your reply. I was just thinking if ’no exercising’ would be recommended (a specific time) before check up blood tests (when not on chemo/treatments).

[Brearmstrong]

Hi Jp,

How did your mom’s scan turnout? I am also in the same situation as my CEA jumped from 1.0 to 2.3 in three months and my next CT scan isn’t until Aug 15th. I know that worrying doesn’t help but my CEA is a good marker. I am very scared. Hope her scan went well.

Brenda

[jp81]

Hi Brenda,

My mom did not have a scan - our doctor recommended that it's not necessary for now since the CEA has not shown an increase (It is currently 4.2). My mom's CEA has always been a little high, varying from 3.6 to 5.1.
Her last scan was in November 2018. The plan is to do the scan three months from now. I have always been worried about CEAs, but it seems that it does jump around quite a bit due to inflammation. So as long as they're within range, it seems alright. Your reading of 2.3 is certainly within range. (My dad's CEA is 3.3 for instance - he doesn't have cancer.) In this forum, dianetavegia had previously mentioned that she often had borderline high CEAs - but her only recurrence happened only when it jumped to 6.x.

My mom's been doing well otherwise (I just took her out on vacation, and made her walk around quite a bit). Recently she had once instance of hypertension. It's probably from the avastin she takes; so we might cut that out at some point.

Try not to worry - I've enquired with multiple doctors about CEA numbers. 2.3 is well within range.