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Stage 2A colorectal e

Posted by asmera1976 @asmera1976, 1 day ago

I’m about to finish my chemo treatment next month. My April pet scan came in clear but my cea level keeps rising to 9.2
I am worried and would like to hear from folks who have experienced this or anyone who can provide advice
Thank you

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california14 | @california14 | 1 day ago

While there may be different reasons for the CEA to go up, I will share that my CEA skyrocketed during chemotherapy. I was taking an oral chemo drug (Capecitabine) and received 4 rounds of infusions (Oxilaplatin). It shot up to 12.9. As soon as I finished with chemotherapy, it started to drop gradually every 3 months--down to 7 something then 4 something, 3 something and now the last blood work showed 2.3. My oncologist did not commit to any reason but did agree that inflammation could cause the rise.I consulted with another oncologist I had previously spoken with and he said the capecitabine could cause the inflammation/spike in CEA. The internet also has studies that show ocaliaplatin can cause a rise in the CEA. The spike in CEA during chemo is not common--I think it's about 10%--but according to the internet (not a reliable source) it infers a better prognosis when this happens. I think a helpful way to deal with it is to know there can be multiple causes of a rising CEA.

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1 reply
asmera1976 | @asmera1976 | 1 day ago
In reply to @california14 "While there may be different reasons for the CEA to go up, I will share that..." + (show)
@california14

While there may be different reasons for the CEA to go up, I will share that my CEA skyrocketed during chemotherapy. I was taking an oral chemo drug (Capecitabine) and received 4 rounds of infusions (Oxilaplatin). It shot up to 12.9. As soon as I finished with chemotherapy, it started to drop gradually every 3 months--down to 7 something then 4 something, 3 something and now the last blood work showed 2.3. My oncologist did not commit to any reason but did agree that inflammation could cause the rise.I consulted with another oncologist I had previously spoken with and he said the capecitabine could cause the inflammation/spike in CEA. The internet also has studies that show ocaliaplatin can cause a rise in the CEA. The spike in CEA during chemo is not common--I think it's about 10%--but according to the internet (not a reliable source) it infers a better prognosis when this happens. I think a helpful way to deal with it is to know there can be multiple causes of a rising CEA.

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Thank you so very much. My chemo consists of fu-5, grainsetron and leuccovorin
Also are you stage 2 as well, how long
Thanks again

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1 reply
california14 | @california14 | 20 hours ago
In reply to @asmera1976 "Thank you so very much. My chemo consists of fu-5, grainsetron and leuccovorin Also are you..." + (show)
@asmera1976

Thank you so very much. My chemo consists of fu-5, grainsetron and leuccovorin
Also are you stage 2 as well, how long
Thanks again

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Unfortunately, I had stage 3b colon cancer diagnosed a little over a year ago. I'm due for a 3 month check-up (bloodwork, etc) in mid June but I'm postponing for a few weeks as I'm traveling overseas to visit with family and don't want to deal with any possible CEA issues before I leave. My annual CT scan is due in mid-September.
By the way, my oncologist told me he would. not proceed with another scan (presumably a PET scan) immediately after an increased CEA. He would repeat the blood test before moving forward with additional testing.
Best wishes to you and good luck with the rest of your chemo.

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1 reply
asmera1976 | @asmera1976 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @california14 "Unfortunately, I had stage 3b colon cancer diagnosed a little over a year ago. I'm due..." + (show)
@california14

Unfortunately, I had stage 3b colon cancer diagnosed a little over a year ago. I'm due for a 3 month check-up (bloodwork, etc) in mid June but I'm postponing for a few weeks as I'm traveling overseas to visit with family and don't want to deal with any possible CEA issues before I leave. My annual CT scan is due in mid-September.
By the way, my oncologist told me he would. not proceed with another scan (presumably a PET scan) immediately after an increased CEA. He would repeat the blood test before moving forward with additional testing.
Best wishes to you and good luck with the rest of your chemo.

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Thank you. My oncologist suggested same. Wait until after treatment for pet scan
Last chemo July 11.

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1 reply
california14 | @california14 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @asmera1976 "Thank you. My oncologist suggested same. Wait until after treatment for pet scan Last chemo July..." + (show)
@asmera1976

Thank you. My oncologist suggested same. Wait until after treatment for pet scan
Last chemo July 11.

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If the CEA is going to go down after chemo--at least with me-- it takes a few weeks to see a decline. I never had a PETscan. I can't recall when they did the bloodwork after chemo, but I know I had a regular CTscan a few weeks after the 4th (last) round. Every oncologist is different and I certainly defer to your oncologist.

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1 reply
asmera1976 | @asmera1976 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @california14 "If the CEA is going to go down after chemo--at least with me-- it takes a..." + (show)
@california14

If the CEA is going to go down after chemo--at least with me-- it takes a few weeks to see a decline. I never had a PETscan. I can't recall when they did the bloodwork after chemo, but I know I had a regular CTscan a few weeks after the 4th (last) round. Every oncologist is different and I certainly defer to your oncologist.

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Thank you! I appreciate your input. I pray for both of us 🙏

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