Worried about rising CEA levels

However. Always a CEA of

Diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years ago. Stage 2c. FLOX chemo for 6months. Totally clean since.

@lenka I have perfect blood work. My CEA 2.2 goes up and from from 1.7 to 2.4 .. I was diagnosed with Cecum cancer an Follicular lymphoma. I don't think it can really be an indicator all the time? I been getting my blood work every 6 months for almost 3 yrs now. It always seem to be the same. Once a year now I get a CT scan. Next week is my one year check up. We shall see what results I get this time? I can report back and let you know.

@diannechildress Just checking to see how your feeling and if you have anything new you heard about your CEA?

Thank you very much for your answer. I know, it can ne inflamation as well. I have never smoked and I almost do not drink alcohol I do a lot of sport eat healthy food. My only trouble is, that I can not go for toalette regularly, just one it three days. Have a nice day.

Hi @lenka, I can imagine that you're afraid. Having abnormal lab results can be scary. High CEA levels can be caused by other non-cancer conditions, such as
These can include:
- infection
- cirrhosis or other liver condition
- chronic smoking
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other gastrointestinal condition
- non-cancerous breast disease

It sounds like your health care team is investigating all possibilities. That's good.

I was never diagnostic with cancer, but my S CEA level is hihg. I was beeing investigated due to family reason- too many cancer in our family. Last three years measurements: 8, 11, 15, and now after two months 15,5, all other parameters are now ok. Colonoscopy, gastroscopy, X-ray lung, ok, no pain. Now I should go for CT of the belly and mamography. If everything ok, than I am heslthy person with abnormal high parametr of S CEA. Do you have somebody experince with such as result? I only want be healthy and not beeing afraid. Thank you very much for answer.

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?

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.

Thank you so much. This does help make me feel better. I hope you are doing good. I was diagnosed in 2009 but it was only stage 2. It wasn't out of the colon. There were two masses, one larger then the other, but they were able to remove both. None of the lymph nodes were involved. The doctor had my blood sent to the Mayo clinic for testing and genetic screening. They found that I have a predisposition for polyps. We did colonoscopies for almost 7 years and my gastroenterologist decided that we should remove the remainder of the colon to eliminate any further polyps. Every colonoscopy he was removing anywhere from 2 to 6 polyps. Thanks for your concern. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome of both the CT scan and my flexoidoscoy.