CEA test

@dlupinacci28, naturally you are worried.

As you probably already have researched, increasing 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.”

I think the hardest part is waiting between tests and until all the results are in. But all these pieces are important to put the puzzle together. Googling the result of one test or the other will give an incomplete picture. Maybe put the worry into a task and start to write your questions for your doctor to help prepare for your upcoming consult after the MRI.

May I ask what symptoms led to the investigation and testing?

Thank you so much for your response

I’ve had diarrhea for sometime now, complete water , I have discomfort on my right side to back, sometimes I can’t even sit flat on my back, I get swelling in my feet, very very swollen, I’ve had pain in my feet
( bone pain) numbness, everyday

I had a colonoscopy few weeks ago which I had 2 small nodules removed, the Gastro Dr ordered blood and stool work, the Pancreatic Elastase came back very low, 54
He then ordered a catscan which showed bilateral tumors

I’ve been going back & forth to primary, neurologist, rheumatologist
Gastro ect
I keep hearing it’s lupus related
I don’t believe it is

Back in October my neurologist did alot of blood work too, the light chains were elevated,
again I was told it’s lupus related

I recently seen a hemotologist my primary had suggested I see one,
To discuss the light chains, the catscan ect ( being I have lupus he thought this would be a good Dr to see) he did his own blood work which came back fine and he said he wasn’t concerned with the Adrenials it’s considered small, I have no prior catscan for comparison and with the blood work fine he’d see me in 6 months to check them with a mri.
He wasn’t concerned with the light chains, I felt relieved.
A few days later I had appt with my primary Dr and he felt other blood work should have been done and a mri, he wasn’t happy waiting 6 months like the hemotologist said.
So here I am

I have not discussed the CEA result with any of my Drs, I only became aware of this yesterday when I got the lab work from my hemotologist
This was never mentioned to me
And from what I’m reading it’s pretty high, 14.5

I’ve been ruled out for all stomach conditions from the gastro Dr

Sorry for all this information, I’m just trying to give you all I know right now

I appreciate you responding and I do hope I’ll have answers to all this soon

Thank you

I also have seconds to get to a bathroom with the diarrhea, thankfully it’s pretty much in the morning only, before I start my day, I get up a few hours early so I know when I leave the house I should be ok
There’s been many times when I haven’t been home and have no control over it

It’s become debilitating

I’m so hopeful you’re okay. My oncologist blindsided me Friday afternoon with a quick FaceTime phone call. As he is packing his briefcase to go home he tells me he did a blood test called CEA and mine is 7.7 and I might have colon cancer! I’ve been anemic since my bilateral mastectomy in December. All other blood work is fine. I had DCIS. Nothing invasive. Now I’m in a panic. And he hung up the phone. Has anyone else had anemia , low ferritin, for no reason. And elevated CEA?

I had colon cancer surgery and a bag for 7 months. Had it reversed and colonoscopy was good and blood test in June was 5.6 for CEA. Last week all blood test were normal but CEA was 5.8. Should I be concerned. Have a CT scan for 1/7/25.. Any response from anyone?

Hello @gail570, I can understand your concern. Once you've had cancer, any test that is even slightly out of normal can be frightening.

As you might already know, increasing 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.”

As you can see, there are many reasons for an increase in CEA, that does not necessarily involve cancer.

I would wait for your CT scan next month, before worrying too much about this one test result. You posted this question in the Neuroendocrine Tumors support group. If your biopsy did reveal that your colon cancer was from a NET, this is a good place to post. However, we also have other discussion groups that deal with colon cancer. Here is a link to all of those discussions,
--Colorectal Cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/colorectal-cancer/
In these discussions, you will meet lots of other members who have had colon cancer.

How are you feeling, @gail570? Is your appetite good?

The thing that gives me hope is that all my blood work was normal. Like liver, kidneys. I had a normal colonoscopy last June and is was good. Also, the cancer was not in my lymph nodes, they checked like 13. I had 11 inches of colon removed also. Praying the good Lord gives me good results with the CT scan. I feel great and pooping more often because of shorter colon. All good. Thanks for getting back, I just turned 70 in may and just want a few more years.

I feel great, appetite is good, I gained some weight too..love cheese. Bowel movement is good. I seem to poop more often than before. Seems not long after I eat I have to poop. All normal though. I can do all activities too. All other blood work was great. Praying for a good CT scan. Thanks for getting back.

That is great that you are feeling well, @gail570. Will you post again after your CT?