Post-op tumor markers

nash

I had mx/lat flap reconstruction in 2015, with a revision and mastopexy on the native side in 2016. I've had nothing but problems from the mx/lat flap, and still have post-op inflammation on both sides which can be seen on MRI and CT.

Due to switching oncs during the period from my 2015 recurrence until now, my CEA tumor marker hadn't been pulled since my recurrence in 2015 until recently. When I locally recurred in 2015, CEA was 3.3. Historically since my initial diagnosis in 2007, it was always under 3. Anything over 3 is considered abnormal for non-smokers.

My new onc pulled CEA recently, and it was 6.5, 7.2 and 5.9 over a month period. This increase/abnormality has of course triggered an extensive metastatic workup. My question is, for those of you who have tumor markers pulled regularly, have you had increases into the abnormal range post-reconstruction? I'm trying to figure out if my post-reconstruction inflammation is the culprit.