Mohrfamily wrote:So we're a little over 2 months from colon resection and HAI pump placement. It's the first time I've seen A cea count since before surgery and maybe they calculate different from our cancer center but it was over 1,000!? He hasn't been back in systemic yet, taking cues from his body to take the maximum time to heal before resuming. I worry and now I'm not sure where the baseline for worry begins and ends because with the pump his liver numbers will always be "off". When am I merited a full on freak out here?
AlexandraZ wrote:Is he getting chemo from the HAI pump? Or is he still recovering from the surgery before starting that? What was his CEA before surgery? I think an elevated CEA is to be expected if he hasn't had his liver resection yet. But what was his last CEA count?
ginabeewell wrote:Remind me, is he working toward a liver resection?
kandj wrote:What did the doctor say? DH had a non detectable level of CEA when he was diagnosed (and riddled with cancer). As he did chemo and pump chemo it did rise, but I think the highest for him was about 11. Ironically, his CEA is lowest when he has active tumors. Go figure. And yes, your DH's liver enzymes will elevate with the pump chemo. But it won't be an always. And they have meds for it. I would call the doctor about the CEA level if it were me. Could be lab error, and another draw might help. Or maybe it is time for a PET scan
juliej wrote:Is there a reason he isn't doing systemic? Two months is a long time to go without systemic chemo. I remember he had a nasty infection but time is of the essence.
And you're right about CMP tests being off while there is FUDR in the HAI pump. However, like Gina said, that wouldn't affect CEA. Hope you can get some info soon!
Juliej
Mohrfamily wrote:ginabeewell wrote:Remind me, is he working toward a liver resection?
He's working toward anything that will keep him alive and kicking. These HAI doc suggested a PET and check in for systemic.
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