CEA and inflammation

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nash
nash Member Posts: 2,600
edited October 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I know that inflammation associated with smoking and IBS and that sort of thing can elevate CEA. But does anyone have experience with post-op inflammation causing an abnormal CEA?

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.
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2017

    My MO does not do tumor markers, but I do know of some gals whose markets went up a lot after durgetu

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2017

    I realize that you are specifically asking about CEA, but wanted to answer your question. I had double the high end of the range for CA 27/29 right after chemo due to inflammation - took about 8 weeks to return to within normal range. Last year after a PET lit up bi-laterally abnormal due to inflammatory process, the CA 27/29 roughly doubled from what it usually is, which is in the 25-35 range for me historically. Right after the PET, I had surgery to exchange a TE that had been put in after losing the left implant to skin healing problems, and to downsize the implant on the other side to match it to the new left side. During that surgery I had biopsies and also had some metaplasia and a big suture granuloma removed. Afterward my CA 27/29 returned to within normal range, but I believe that my CEA remained in range during that entire time.

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    Thank you for the replies.

    I'm inclined to think the post-op inflammation is the culprit for the CEA being abnormal. TM's are so weird, b/c my CA 27.29 is fine right now, but when I was on chemo years ago it went high, but then my CEA was fine on chemo. I really wish the onc I had right after the mx/reconstruction had pulled TMs so it would be easier to attribute the current CEA abnormality to the surgery.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited September 2017

    It could be your thyroid

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    I've had my thyroid tested and it's normal.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited September 2017

    What about PAP exam

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    Pap has been normal, but I am on the three year plan with that and haven't had one recently.

    My endometrium was noted as thick (10mm) on CT and u/s. So although I'm premenopausal and 10mm is probably ok, I'm having a hysteroscopy with D&C next week. I was on Tamoxifen for seven years when I had my local bc recurrence, so endometrial cancer is always a concern.

    I was just reading up on thyroid and CEA since you mentioned it, and I read that TSH can be normal with medullary thyroid cancer. So thank you, I will bring up that possibility with the drs.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    Please let us know what your doctor says.

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2017

    Will do

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  • ilke
    ilke Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2017

    The same increase is the case. My CEA increased from 2.5 - 3.0 range to 6.1 after 4 years. I have just been in PET-CT today to see what was happened. All my results are fine just TSH is 6.5....

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