1. < Colorectal Cancer

Elevated CEA levels: Could unrelated surgery be this cause?

Posted by lisamomaprn @lisamomaprn, Nov 14 7:49pm

I have a slightly elevated CEA level but it is still WNL. Resection was two years ago...but I recently had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy 6 weeks ago. Could this be the cause of the increase? I read that surgery could be a cause of increased levels but I couldn't find an explanation of why this is. Does anyone have any knowledge of why this could be true?

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roywalton | @roywalton | Nov 14 8:03pm

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. It means a protein with a lot of sugars added to it by normal or cancerous cells. Scientists first discovered CEA in 1968 when they isolated extracts of liver metastasized by colorectal cancer and also from normal fetal digestive tract. Everyone is born with high levels of this protein. CEA decreases as you get older, but some conditions, including certain types of cancer, can increase your blood CEA levels.

Generally speaking higher CEA values are not found in non-cancer situations however there are certain conditions in which high CEA values are found. This antigen is found in fetal development and is part of growing cells as it is found in cell adhesion and cell walls. So as healing occurs following surgery such as mastectomy it is reasonable to expect that with increased cell development and cell adhesion, You may have higher CEA values. Of course CEA value is alone do not indicate cancer. Suggest you discuss this with your doctor or oncologist

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1 reply
lisamomaprn | @lisamomaprn | Nov 15 8:42am
In reply to @roywalton "carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. It means a protein with..." + (show)
@roywalton

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. It means a protein with a lot of sugars added to it by normal or cancerous cells. Scientists first discovered CEA in 1968 when they isolated extracts of liver metastasized by colorectal cancer and also from normal fetal digestive tract. Everyone is born with high levels of this protein. CEA decreases as you get older, but some conditions, including certain types of cancer, can increase your blood CEA levels.

Generally speaking higher CEA values are not found in non-cancer situations however there are certain conditions in which high CEA values are found. This antigen is found in fetal development and is part of growing cells as it is found in cell adhesion and cell walls. So as healing occurs following surgery such as mastectomy it is reasonable to expect that with increased cell development and cell adhesion, You may have higher CEA values. Of course CEA value is alone do not indicate cancer. Suggest you discuss this with your doctor or oncologist

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Thank you @roywalton I appreciate the in-depth answer. And yes that makes perfect sense! I have an appt on the 19th with my CR Onc and my CT report just came back normal so hoping that is all it is. As I said, level is a normal level at 2.2 but it's always been much lower and I have been having a slight change in bowel patterns so I was slightly worried. Thank you again!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 22 5:31pm
In reply to @lisamomaprn "Thank you @roywalton I appreciate the in-depth answer. And yes that makes perfect sense! I have..." + (show)
@lisamomaprn

Thank you @roywalton I appreciate the in-depth answer. And yes that makes perfect sense! I have an appt on the 19th with my CR Onc and my CT report just came back normal so hoping that is all it is. As I said, level is a normal level at 2.2 but it's always been much lower and I have been having a slight change in bowel patterns so I was slightly worried. Thank you again!

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@lisamomaprn, stress can also change bowel patterns. What did you learn at your appointment this week?

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