Elevated CEA

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Jalsmama55
Jalsmama55 Member Posts: 104
edited July 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello all, I have a few questions/concerns and hope that all of you here can help. Last week, my CEA came back elevated to 7.3. In March of this year it was 6.4 and November of 2014 was 6.8. Previous to that, my numbers were always below 5.0. Hung around 4 range. The only things that have changed are: 1. Had DIEP and TE/implant in Nov 2013. 2. Had a complete hysterectomy Feb 2015. Onco has ordered CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis. Said he's just being cautious but not overly concerned. Has anyone had elevated CEA or other markers due to having biologic mesh (from DIEP) or implants that they know of? I'm just trying to make sense of the nonsense at this point. My Ca 27-29 was normal and within the same range it's been for 5 years. Thanks so much in advance for any answers, support, encouragement etc :)

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited October 2015

    This could be why many oncologists do not follow tumor markers in nonmetastatic disease - the interpretation of fluctuations can be a challenge! Did you have your CT scans yet?

    Despite that additional radiation exposure, at least you'll have a good baseline for future comparisons (which is what I told myself earlier this year while having chest/bone assessments due to elevated serum calcium levels: everything seems fine including a couple of benign lung nodules probably from previous respiratory infections)...

    Hoping you also get unremarkable results.

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  • Jalsmama55
    Jalsmama55 Member Posts: 104
    edited October 2015

    Vlnrph, thanks so much for your reply. I literally just walked out of UCLA from getting my CT. Hopefully will have results by tomorrow. I'll update then. Have a wonderful day

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  • bsheldonrn
    bsheldonrn Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2017

    I am interested in hearing what others say to your thread because I too have normal tumor markers but elevated for the first time CEA Level at 7.4. Only symptoms I have are nagging muscular back pain in the right lower back and fatigue (shift worker who can sleep 18 hrs straight with low B12 on injections) My doc ordered a whole body bone scan to rule out mets and Ct scan of abdomen/pelvis/chest and repeat labs in 6 weeks.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2017

    all of my docs stressed that tumor markers can only be used to look at patterns. If it continues to increase over several blood tests, there is a pattern that would require additional tests. Sounds like that's what your docs have ordered. Good luck

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