C.E.A. Going up.

ekimjo 15 days ago

6 replies
114 subscribers
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I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a colonoscopy last October, and had the cancer and my colon removed in late November. A follow up appointment in January showed that a little bit of cancer was left behind and Chemo would be required. In early February I had an Oncology appointment and it was decided that I would start a course of ‘Capecitabine’, 2 weeks on and 1 off, over a period of 6 months.

Had a blood test and appointment with a clinician yesterday and told everything was looking good but they were awaiting the results of the C.E.A. Tumour mark test. Started my third session today quite happy everything was going well, untill I had a phone call at lunch time today to say the result showed my C.E.A. Level was 2 in February, 3 then 4 in March and is now 5, and a CT scan was needed to find out why it was rising.

Sounds stupid I know, but my world feels like it’s crumbling now not knowing what is happening, and not finding out the result for three weeks at my next appointment. Has anybody else been up this Road and can ease my concerns? I’m feeling so stressed and worried.

Kareno62 14 days ago

Hi ekimjo Your CEA can vary like your blood pressure can and can also be affected by chemo. They tend to only be really concerned if it starts jumping up significantly so the CT scan may be them just being over cautious. The article below may be a bit out of date now but there’s some good advice about CEA

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/239750/managing-your-follow-up-cea

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

ekimjo 14 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Thanks Karen. I will look at the article you sent.

Mike x

court 14 days ago in reply to ekimjo

Hi ekimjo

You have a good team there . Often more a case of ruling out than in .

But my mum had treatment two years in a row and each time her CEA went up on chemo . Infact the highest it ever was was on chemo .
Additionally my mum had her CEA s drawn for a good 13 years and never the same static number . You are just getting to understand how your own react which can be an anxious time until you get a better feel for your normal .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

ekimjo 14 days ago in reply to court

Thanks for that info Court. I will bear all that in mind.

Mike x

Natata 14 days ago

Morning

My CEA went up with every Chemo cycle as well, I had Capox, 4 cycles, and every time before the cycle my CEA level was up

You have a good team, who act very quickly to be in safe side

Natallia x

ekimjo 14 days ago in reply to Natata

Thanks for your reply Natalia. Had some positive replies to my message, including yours, which has made me understand CEA levelling better.

Take care.

Mike x