Hi,
Most of the research I’ve seen into the reason for a rise in CEA levels during chemo is for metastatic colon cancer with the explanation provided for this ‘chemo flare’ being put down to secretion of CEA from dying cancer cells. Not seen much research though into a rise in stage III patients where you wouldn’t expect there to be many remaining cancer cells and thus don’t think you’d expect a material change in CEA due to these being killed off? Hence just wondering if anyone has come across the theory to explain this (i.e. assuming no non chemo related reasons such as inflammation, infection etc) - have seen some mention of inflammatory reaction to oxaliplatin but not sure you’d necessarily expect this to result in a steady rise during chemo especially when bloods are taken about 19 days after each infusion.
My CEA was 1.9 when CAPOX started in December (no reading pre surgery) then 3.2, 3.5 and finally 4.6 after final cycle end Feb. Have my next test later this week with CT scan the week after (both brought forward from original plan of Sept because of the CEA rise and the BRAF V600E mutation putting me more at risk of earlier recurrence). Already had a CT done in Feb during final cycle which was NED and recent colonoscopy clean too.
Thanks.