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Worried about rising CEA levels
I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009. At that time they removed 1/3 of my colon. We did blood screening through the Mayo clinic and they came back that I had a predisposition for polyposis. The cancer had not gotten out of the colon area. Over the next 7 years I was having regular colonoscopies and the doctor removed polyps every time. He recommended that I have the reminder of my colon removed and attache the small intestine to the rectum. That surgery was done January 2016. Up until this surgery was done my CEA levels were in the 3-4 range. This past April I was in to my oncologist for my check-up and my level has increased to 6.1. We redid the test again in 6 weeks which was yesterday and they have increased by 0.3 to 6.4. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I have had my mammogram done and it is clear, I don't have any more colon so it can't be colon cancer, I had a hysterectomy when I was in my 20's so that rules out ovarian cancer. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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As I wrote today I have similar problem. I had hysterectomy one year ago, but I have away only oviduct and I have ovaria left.
They were .8, then the next two have been .5. The one last week was .8. Should I worry?
I have had two surgeries for colon cancer this last one they said they got it all my cea level was 7 after my surgery I had Labs taken the other day and it had spiked to 33 and and I have lost 21 pounds I am scheduled for Labs on Monday and another colonoscopy on November 6th could this be something else besides cancer
Hi @sandrahoff, welcome to Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to the Colorectal Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/colorectal-cancer/) to a discussion called "CEA levels". I did this so you can meet others talking about CEA levels.
I can imagine you are worried with elevated CEA levels and additional worrisome symptoms like weight loss. But you are doing something about it. The CEA test alone is not enough to determine if the cancer has returned. I know that waiting is the hardest part and these next few days until Monday and Nov 6 will feel like forever. Please know that you have a whole community of people here to talk whenever you need a virtual shoulder to lean on.
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2 ReactionsMy husband was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer last year. He had surgery and was undergoing chemo. He was having issues breathing and thought it was related to chemo treatment but it was actually related to his heart. He had to stop treatment and undergo a quadruple bypass surgery. After his bypass recovery his oncologist ordered a PET scan and thru the scan we found out that his cancer had spread and he is now in stage 4. He is undergoing a more aggressive chemo but I am concerned with his CEA levels. They started at a 40 and were coming down - the levels reached 22 and now it's at a 30. Is this normal? I understand that levels can go up, but I am alarmed. The nurses aren't too concerned but we are requesting another PET scan. Has anyone else had levels rise and fall?
I have experienced the same. Cea was 7, did catscans, colonoscopy, full body scan, has slowly increased over 2 yrs , 7, 8, 11, 12, I try not to worry, onc. Said high
Readings could be due to hypothyroidism, inflamation, h pylori, etc. I still worry.,
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1 ReactionWow. Had one 2.0. They said would be like 10000 times slower than grass growing. Sorry. It grew fast. Super fast. Think i would wait tell second test
Hello all,
Five years ago in April I was diagnosed with stage IIIb colon cancer. I had a resection and have been having regular follow-up. Polyps removed at both my 1 year out colonoscopy and my 3 year out. In June 2018 by CEA was 1.2. Today it was 7.9. I'm freaking out. Doc is going to repeat the test in 2 weeks and, if still elevated, will order a CT. What are the chances I'm looking at a recurrence?
Has anyone had a cea count of 5.7 after 5 year check up
@bobbywood427 What has your CEA test been running at? Is this the first time in 5 yrs it has changed? Mine goes up and down every 6 months.
It could also be a messed up blood test. Has the Doc suggested anymore tests? Don't make yourself crazy worrying about just one blood test.
Jackie
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