COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

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crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:27 pm

Hello!

My husband recently went in for his quarterly visit today and his CEA levels suddenly registered above normal levels (2.2 at last check now 5.3). He has a CT Scan scheduled next week to check for any anomalies, the only other abnormalities on his blood work was low albumin and calcium (though only barely outside the normal range). I'm of course freaked out but my husband has assured me this is "just a precaution" and he swears the Oncologist isn't concerned. Apparently other factors can contribute to a rise in CEA? He even suggested that getting a first dose of vaccine a little under two weeks before his blood draw could be the culprit (his theory). I can't find anything on the web, has anyone else had something similar happen?
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

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby boxhill » Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:25 pm

My goodness, your husband has had a lot to deal with for Stage 3: infected port, cdiff, and the lung issues!

CEA can rise for any number of reasons, and a challenge to the immune system is likely one of them. I hope the scan puts your mind at rest.
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Wed Feb 24, 2021 7:40 am

boxhill wrote:My goodness, your husband has had a lot to deal with for Stage 3: infected port, cdiff, and the lung issues!

CEA can rise for any number of reasons, and a challenge to the immune system is likely one of them. I hope the scan puts your mind at rest.


I hope so, my friends last night were trying to reassure me that it probably is from the vaccine since inflammation is a immune response. But I remembered this morning that his last CT Scan had “most likely unchanged” sub 5mm lung nodules which hadn’t been picked up on other scans. At the time the Oncologist told me not to worry about it and that they were probably always there just so tiny that the other radiologists didn’t make a note. But remembering that now leaves a sick feeling in my stomach.

I struggle with anxiety in the best of times, but the pandemic has just made this worse. I can’t even escape it at work, I currently work at home. I can’t visit with friends or go out and about to distract myself. It’s just me, my cats, and my anxiety brain going in spiraling circles without stop until my husband comes home from work. The next two weeks is going to drag on forever.
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

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby CRguy » Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:25 pm

Hey homie,
just FYI my go to position is that
ANY
INFLAMMATION
ANYWHERE in the body CAN tweak the CEA ! :evil:

It is more sensitive in the thoracic area ( i.e. smokers ) ... BUTT
may not even be a marker for some folks = ME !

1. vaccines will cause an "inflammatory" response ... IF they are working !!!!
2. CEA trends are generally more informative than just single values
3. IF your concerns are not addressed or answered by the Docs
..... KEEP on kicking BUTT and pushing for more answers.

Cheers and Harmony
On the Journey
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

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:52 am

The saga continues. CEA is now higher than it was on the initial test, up to 7 from 5.3 (he was around 12-20 when diagnosed, I can't remember the exact number). He has had a CT Scan and a colonoscopy since then, and other than a few polyps removed on the later both came back normal. I don't know what the doctor will recommend, the appointment is this afternoon. The only other value that's off is Albumin which is 3.9; just barely below the low range of normal. The rest of his blood work looks fine. He forgot to fast before the blood draw, but I wouldn't think that would effect CEA.

It's so frustrating, I read that "falsely elevated levels may occur in up to 50% of colon cancer patients post treatment leading to unnecessary anxiety and testing" which means of course I'm hoping and praying he's in the falsely elevated category. But if it is an indication that something is amiss then I want to find it NOW so we can treat ASAP, so possibly unnecessary testing sounds like a small price to pay for potentially finding something sooner.
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

Brearmstrong
Posts: 112
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 3:24 pm
Location: CT

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby Brearmstrong » Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:16 pm

Sorry to hear and I know the anxiety can be crippling. Any talk about getting a possible PET scan? My recurrences are always found by increasing CEA but clear CT scans. I keep pushing and get a PET scan that shows what the CEA is telling us, recurrence. I hope it turns out to be nothing but maybe push for a PET?

-Brenda
50 F diag 1/17
Muc Adeno 4cm
mod diff G2 T4aN2
nodes 8/50
CEA 4.6 after surgery <.05
KRAS G12D MSS
FOLFOX Apr-sep 17
Nov 17 PET p aortic nodes Stage IV
Folfori w/avastin
May 18 surgery on nodes xeloda 2yr
Aug 18-May 20 NED
July 20 hysterectomy
July 21 vats right lung
Clinical trial- failed liver Mets biopsy shows now poorly differentiated carcinoma.
HAI pump at MSK may 2022
Nov met to pancreas- causing pain
Radiation ablation to pancreas Dec 22
New lung Mets watch and wait

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:24 pm

Thankfully the oncologist is very aggressive. She said that while it’s possible for the CEA to be a false positive she doesn’t like how it’s slowly going up and wants to investigate as much as possible. I didn’t even have to bring up a PET scan, she just said that she’s ordering one for next month. If that’s clear she’s going to order a look at his small intestines to make sure nothing is going on in that end. I appreciate her due diligence so much!
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

Brearmstrong
Posts: 112
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 3:24 pm
Location: CT

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby Brearmstrong » Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:40 pm

That sounds like a great oncologist and a solid plan. Hope all goes well.
50 F diag 1/17
Muc Adeno 4cm
mod diff G2 T4aN2
nodes 8/50
CEA 4.6 after surgery <.05
KRAS G12D MSS
FOLFOX Apr-sep 17
Nov 17 PET p aortic nodes Stage IV
Folfori w/avastin
May 18 surgery on nodes xeloda 2yr
Aug 18-May 20 NED
July 20 hysterectomy
July 21 vats right lung
Clinical trial- failed liver Mets biopsy shows now poorly differentiated carcinoma.
HAI pump at MSK may 2022
Nov met to pancreas- causing pain
Radiation ablation to pancreas Dec 22
New lung Mets watch and wait

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:35 am

Brearmstrong wrote:That sounds like a great oncologist and a solid plan. Hope all goes well.


Thanks! <3
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

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby CRguy » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:02 pm

Brearmstrong wrote:That sounds like a great oncologist and a solid plan. Hope all goes well.
I agree on all counts !

YES it is often the trends and proportional increases which are meaningful.
My CEA is not a marker ... BUTT ...sometimes I wish it could have been :evil:

" You will miss more for NOT looking ... than not knowing."
Keep those DOCS .... LOOKING !

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

Koreysue
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:36 pm

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby Koreysue » Mon May 17, 2021 8:57 am

CEA LEVELS ARE MY NEMESIS!
Sorry you are having this stress, and worry. I may have missed it- but did you find any more out?
I’m at a lab getting my CEA checked this very minute.
Sending love

Ksue
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

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby crikklekay » Mon May 17, 2021 9:16 am

Koreysue wrote:CEA LEVELS ARE MY NEMESIS!
Sorry you are having this stress, and worry. I may have missed it- but did you find any more out?
I’m at a lab getting my CEA checked this very minute.
Sending love

Ksue


Not yet, he just had the PET scan on Friday and we see the Onc on Thursday for the results. I'm so happy they're letting one visitor come to appointments again, I always have so many questions and the only way to get good answers is to be at the actual appointment. I'm sorry you're dealing with this CEA nonsense too, good luck! I hope for low/normal numbers for you!!
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

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with COVID-19

Postby Green Tea » Thu May 20, 2021 10:15 am

Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00432-020-03350-3

Purpose. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tends to affect multiple organs and induce abnormal laboratory parameters. We designed this study to investigate the association between carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) elevation and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection might be another cause of CEA elevation, with nearly 20% of patients experienced transient and marked CEA increment during COVID-19 pneumonia. The false-positive results of CEA elevation might have clinical significance for patients with colorectal cancer.

tater
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:53 pm

Re: COVID Vaccine and CEA Increase?

Postby tater » Thu May 20, 2021 11:59 pm

My wife's CEA has been trending up from about the first if the year granted from 1.2 to about 1.8. The last six weeks its been at 1.8. She got Covid around christmas and 90days later received the vaccine. Maybe that is the reason. She had a PET 5 months ago and it was good and a CT 2 months ago and it was clean. She just got her first ctdna results yesterday and it was negative.
DH to 38 wife w/kids
Stage 3C DX 3/3/17 CEA 29
5-fu and radiation ended May 17, 2017
Stage 4 External iliac node July 17, 2017
FOLFOX + Avistan July 18 2017 CEA 2.3
Nov 9, 2017 Coloanal Anastomosis, Hysterectomy & External Nodes Removed W/ileostomy
Clear Margins NED
CEA 1.5 12/17, 2.1 2/18, 2.3 6/18, 1.1 9/18, 1.3 12/18, 1.8 3/19, 2.5 6/19
Clear CT and MRI on 2/5/2018, 9/18 Clear Scans
Reversal Surgery 6/26/18
Small Spot on right ureter surgery 10/30/19 adhered to artery
Dec. 2 start 12 rounds FOLFIRI


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