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Doctor insights on: Rising Cea Levels Colon Cancer

Tumor markers: Cea is a tumor marker it does not occur with all colon cancers but the fact that it dropped so abruptly is a positive sign. The marker has the ability to be used to monitor for recurrence. This does by no means indicates you are done. There are a number of treatments for colon cancer and you should recruit the serviceces of a board certified medical oncologist for an opinion on tx options. ...Read more

Disease progression: This does not necessarily mean that the chemotherapy is not working. You do need to be aware of the long-term outcome. My hope is that the patient will still get several more good years. If this is you, then you have a right to know the likely effects of whatever treatments you are offered. ...Read more

Not significant : It is very minute change.. No significance. ...Read more

Not necessarily: Chemotherapy can cause the CEA to rise when started. In addition, that is not a significant rise to make me concerned. Also, one wants to see a trend. Meaning, 8, 10, 15, 20 before one thinks failure. In addition, don't treat a number, treat what can be seen on the CT scan. Hope this helps. ...Read more

CEA of 3: is in normal range. IF you have been getting regular checkups yearly and colonoscopies, you don't need to do anything more. Just follow the recommendations for your follow ups and colonoscopies provided by your Oncologist/Colorectal surgeon/gastroenterologist. ...Read more

Chill: Three is normal, my friend. Colon cancer would be unlikely to relapse after 15 years plus. Of course, you could develop another colon cancer so you need to keep your follow ups with your oncologist and get your colonoscopies religiously. Live healthy and if you smoke, quit (that will increase the CEA, by the way). ...Read more

Back most likely : With a rise of the cea level well above the normal level, the cancer is back or has spread to other organs or a new primary has formed. His physician/surgeon should immediately start a search for the tumor as some recurrences or new tumors can be removed or treated with chemotherapy. He will need studies such as a chest x-ray, ct of chest, abdomen. & pelvis, colonoscopy and possible pet scan. ...Read more

Depending how used: CEA first identified in 1965 by Phil Gold and Samuel O. Freedman in human colon cancer extracts. Thought to be valuable for dx colorectal Ca but the glycoprotein is also expressed in inflamed tissue so that smoking and enema can cause rise. Best used for monitoring so that if present in primary and rises it represents treatment failure and if diminishes during treatment it represents a response. ...Read more

No: The use of tumor markers has been approved for monitoring only. This holds true for the CEA's and Carbohyrate monoclonals such as Ca 19.9 and Ca 125. This is due to the fact that they are also affected by inflammatory changes as well as tumors arising in glandular tissue. If a dx of Ca is well established and the patient is treated with chemo, a drop in tumor marker level means response. ...Read more

First i would: Repeat the cea, if higher need to discuss with your oncologist or a colorectal surgeon or GI doctor to begin workup of recurrent colon cancer. Cea of 3 is not abnormal. You should have been getting colonoscopies regularly since your original diagnosis. Pet/ct scans may be necessary. But if cea is 3 on repeat i would not be concerned. Just stay on 5year colonoscopy schedule. ...Read more

Cea levels : Oncologist use CEA markers to assess the success in cancer chemotherapy regimens. A drop in CEA after chemotherapy is a positive sign. This means the chemotherapy is working. Have a great day! ...Read more

CEA: In general, rise in CEA in patients with metastatic colon cancer represents the disease progression. However, CEA surge phenomena was also described in patients who responded to the initial intensive chemotherapy. Immediate rise in CEA is usually not related to the disease progression. CEA surge is defined by >20% increase from its baseline. ...Read more

It's improving!: All it really means is the CEA is going in the right direction ... falling after chemotherapy. You can not reliably speculate on what the number changes might say about the magnitude of improvement. There is too much individual variability and unpredictability for that. I would be pleased that these changes have occurred. Best wishes as you continue your treatment:) ...Read more

Slight response: A tumor marker like CEA should only be employed for monitoring. During treatment if the tumor marker drops it is a suggestion that there is a response to treatment. If it rises then the tumor is probably progressing. This however should be confirmed by scan. A more significant finding however is not just a lowering of the marker level burt a return to normal. Chemo here should be continued. ...Read more

Very good question!: The answer's somewhat debated. 1st, CEA levels even in the presence of cancer r somewhat variable, so my 1st question is *how much* did the values rise? An increase of 1 mcg/L may not b significant, though an increase of 100 mcg/L is definitely so. Also, levels increase if u r around cigarette smoke. Lastly, CEA could be released from cancer cells as they die. TTYD (Oncologist) to interpret numbrs ...Read more

Stable: Ams an oncologist I would say those levels are stable. Follow your oncologist advice and do not stop chemo based on your CEA levels, they look good. ...Read more

Change in level: Changes in the level of CEA are more useful for monitoring the course of disease than one reading. There is wide variation in CEA levels in patients with colon as well as other cancers. ...Read more

Not necessarily: when the colon cancer comes back , it usually comes back within the first 5 years from the diagnosis. it is unlikely that the colon cancer comes back after 12 years. in addition, CEA is not very sensitive nor specific for colon cancer. other things like cigarette smoking, other liver problems etc can increase CEA.if she smokes, makes sure to encourage her to quit. she need to follow up with her MD ...Read more

No: The hpv virus does not cause a cea elevation. ...Read more

Likely to be: Cea or carcinoembryonic antigen, is a tumor marker usually associated with colon cancer, but can be seen elevated in other tumors. When associated with colon cancer, it is useful to follow serially after resection or to follow as part of treatment. If the value is normal at one point and becomes elevated, then a careful search for recurrence is indicated. ...Read more