Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared

If you don't have access to CTDNA or Signatera (ask your oncologist), then just trust the standard of care in your area, and in your case the CT or PET. Again, The concept of assay variability is the issue here.... because a CEA value of 1 2 3 or 5 is really the same number, it's only one that number climbs to 10 or 20 is it meaningful at all. I believe a good oncologist would not act on a CEA value alone.

@lida55, as @roywalton mentioned, you are not alone. Other members have worried about rising CEA levels. You may be interested in reading these related discussions:
- CEA up - guessing not good
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cea-up-guessing-not-good/
- Had colon cancer and now CEA is rising: Scared
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/colon-cancer-10-year-and-now-raised-cea/
- Worried about rising CEA levels
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cea-levels/

Have you learned more with the results of the additional imaging tests?

Thank you for your kind attention
He did petscan 2days ago and we have to wait for results about one week

Thank you for your kind attention.
He did petscan 2 days ago and we have to wait for the result about one week.

@lida55, any update?

I recently had a blood test 3 weeks ago while applying for Term Life insurance.

They did 38 different tests and every one except one came back normal or very good.

What was called the CEA test said “high” and came in at a 4.8.

Not knowing anything at all I researched what that meant and my heart started beating faster at the result.

But I decided to see my primary care doctor who read the report and wanted a blood test in his office.

I did that yesterday.

This morning I’m his office called me and now I am scared out of my mind.

The number went up to 7.

Not sure why the rise although I will admit I am a pretty heavy CIGAR smoker (not cigarettes). I belong to a cigar club and smoke often. Many times during the week.

The doctors office said they are referring me to an oncologist and now kinda worried.

Anyone have something similar to this out of the blue?

I am a little overweight but I’m not sick at all. No weight loss, loss of appetite or anything.

I have had a colonoscopy 3.5 year ago because of some rectal bleeding but it turns out it was just an internal hemorrhoid that would bleed on occasion. Feels weird sharing this but I want it all out there.

During their procedure they also learned I don’t have a gallbladder (removed 10 years ago) and have a hernia in my esophagus but that doesn’t bother me much.

So I feel great but this came out of the blue.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful while I wait for them to call me to be seen.

There have been previous discussions in this form about CEA. It is my considered opinion that you shouldn't rely too much on this especially don't worry yourself sick about it. A level of 5 ng or higher May cause an oncologist to want to do colonoscopy however smokers have higher levels. I understand that Mayo Clinic doesn't even consider unless the value is 20 nanograms or higher. More importantly there are now other tests that are far more useful in making decisions about next steps. Suggest you ask your oncologist about circulating tumor DNA tests that are available, get a good check up a CT in a colonoscopy and take one step at a time! Hope this helps