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Worried about rising CEA levels

Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Feb 5 7:37pm | Replies (79)

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@colleenyoung

Hi Dianne,
Welcome to Connect. I'm tagging a few other members who may also have experience with fluctuating CEA levels. Please meet @travelgirl @martid @ilene1 @soul @brglight @nannytart @bush @sallyg @starrlight and @joannem.

As you probably already have researched, increasingly 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."

Dianne, have you had an appointment with your oncologist since receiving the results of this latest test? The CEA test is only one piece of the puzzle. Your doctor will be able to give you a fuller picture of what is going on. When do you have your next appointment?

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Replies to "Hi Dianne, Welcome to Connect. I'm tagging a few other members who may also have experience..."

No but his office called today. They are going to schedule me for a CT scan just to rule out the presence of any cancer. I am scheduled for my flexoidoscopy on June 19th.

Thank you for your help.

The results of my CT scan were good. There was nothing to indicate the rise in CEA levels so I go back in 3 months for recheck. The only thing they found was a kink in my intestine which could cause some problems with constipation and stomach pain. I did find out I am allergic to the dye they use for the scan. I through up and broke out in a rash on my arm and stomach. They have noted it in my chart.

Hey Dianne,
Thanks for telling us about the results of the CT scan. I was thinking about you. What a relief that the CEA levels are not on the rise. While the kink in the intestine and the allergic reaction don't sound like fun, I'm also glad that these things were discovered now too. What can you do about the kink in the intestine causing constipation and pain? Drink more water? Modifications to your diet?