1. < Colorectal Cancer

CEA problem

Posted by lida55 @lida55, Sep 7 11:16pm

Hello dear mayo team

My husband is 40 years old. Near 4 years ago had colon cancer stage 3b. Had surgery and 13 chemo sessions. About 1 year ago his cea level started to increase from 0.9 to 1, 2, 2.2,... and 5 months ago it reached to 4. We did sono, ct scan, pet scan and andoscopy and colonoscopy. Everything was good and just two polyps were removed. One month after his cea was 3.3 and we were happy. Now after 3 month his cea is 4.3.😰

Does it mean anyrhing again??? We should repeat all pet and ct and colonoscopy again???? What should we do??? It is like nightmare for me. I really scare from this cea. Five months ago it was 4 then 3.3 and now 4.3.
We are going to meet oncologist but could you give me some help and guide me what to do and should i worry?????? Does it mean recurrence?
We did pet scan 3 months ago and now cea is 4.3. Was pet scan wrong or it didnt show anything???!!!!
We live in iran.
Thanks

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missycanary | @missycanary | Sep 8 12:02pm

My husband is still in active treatment, similar situation. I've read about a recently FDA approved blood test marketed as Shield, that seems effective in detecting staged colorectal cancers. Cannot speak from experience with the test yet. I requested more information on this test from my NP last week during my annual physical & look forward to hearing back. Here are a couple of articles related to the approval. Perhaps this would be something for your family to request in addition to the CEA testing. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/health/colon-cancer-blood-test-shield.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JE4.nivx.h2fw63Hw8qDc&smid=url-share
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/29/health/fda-colorectal-cancer-screening-blood-test/index.html
I'm uncertain what would be available to you in Iran.

REPLY
1 reply
lida55 | @lida55 | Sep 8 1:28pm
In reply to @missycanary "My husband is still in active treatment, similar situation. I've read about a recently FDA approved..." + (show)
@missycanary

My husband is still in active treatment, similar situation. I've read about a recently FDA approved blood test marketed as Shield, that seems effective in detecting staged colorectal cancers. Cannot speak from experience with the test yet. I requested more information on this test from my NP last week during my annual physical & look forward to hearing back. Here are a couple of articles related to the approval. Perhaps this would be something for your family to request in addition to the CEA testing. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/health/colon-cancer-blood-test-shield.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JE4.nivx.h2fw63Hw8qDc&smid=url-share
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/29/health/fda-colorectal-cancer-screening-blood-test/index.html
I'm uncertain what would be available to you in Iran.

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Thank you

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 20 12:54pm

Hi @lida55, as you may already know CEA levels can mean many things. Here's some info from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cea/tab/test/ which states "Increased CEA levels can indicate some non-cancer-related conditions, such as inflammation, cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, and benign breast disease."

Monitoring CEA levels is only one tool for tracking possible progression of disease. Changing CEA levels are worrying. It's hard to remain calm about it. Have you met with your husband's oncologist in the meantime? What did you find out?

REPLY
1 reply
lida55 | @lida55 | Sep 20 1:56pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @lida55, as you may already know CEA levels can mean many things. Here's some info..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @lida55, as you may already know CEA levels can mean many things. Here's some info from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cea/tab/test/ which states "Increased CEA levels can indicate some non-cancer-related conditions, such as inflammation, cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, and benign breast disease."

Monitoring CEA levels is only one tool for tracking possible progression of disease. Changing CEA levels are worrying. It's hard to remain calm about it. Have you met with your husband's oncologist in the meantime? What did you find out?

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Hello.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Yes we met his doctor and he said it relates to inflammation in his colon maybe becase his stool calprotecion also was high around 210. He gave some medicine and we have to do test cea after 2 months again. I hope it decrease. Because i myself am losing all my hair of worry and stress and i have huge hairfall, weight increase.... stress is very bad

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 26 4:59pm
In reply to @lida55 "Hello. Thanks for your kind reply. Yes we met his doctor and he said it relates..." + (show)
@lida55

Hello.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Yes we met his doctor and he said it relates to inflammation in his colon maybe becase his stool calprotecion also was high around 210. He gave some medicine and we have to do test cea after 2 months again. I hope it decrease. Because i myself am losing all my hair of worry and stress and i have huge hairfall, weight increase.... stress is very bad

Jump to this post

@lida55, stress is hard and you need to also think of your health. Have you thought of speaking with an oncology social worker at the center where your husband is treated? They are there for you too.

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