cvel wrote:I am asking for my dad, he had surgery for CRC 3 years ago (Stage 2C).
On the latest CT appeared 2 lung nodules and 2 increased lymph nodes.
After CT - he did CEA, CA 19-9, etc. and all markers are in the limit. (CEA was indicator at discovery).
It follows to have a PET CT to clarify.
I was wondering if someone else knows about correlation with blood markers.
Question especially for people with lung nodules, if they want to share.
I had a definite rise in CEA with my lung nodules. So if CEA is a good indicator for your dad, those two nodules aren't necessarily mets. As you noted though, a PET CT should help clarify things. Better to look too close than miss something.
One time I had a CT report identify a suspicious and growing nodule as a met. My CEA did NOT rise with that one. It was removed via VATS and pathology showed it to be a benign granuloma, not cancer. Keep in mind the lungs do get benign growths from a variety of things -- for example, from tiny particles inhaled while you're gardening, from pollution or pollen, even tiny bugs inhaled when you're bicycling.
Hope this helps!
Juliej