had my surgery stage 2 in August now in cycle 4 of my chemo and my CEA levels have gone up from under 5 to 10 now.... has anyone else had this happen ?
Hope chemo is going ok for you . CEA is a more reliable marker when you are off Chemo . Whilst you are on it the chemo itself can cause a spike . My mum has had chemo for two years and each year it happened . It was anxiety inducing but the scans did not reflect the rise . After chemo finished it plateaued.
They will keep and eye on it just to be sure and sometimes they will scan but they are well aware of the variables.
Here’s to good results of your MRI but it was the 3rd and 4 th cycle that my mum’s started its upward trend . What a fright it gave us . Despite it her scans showed significant shrinkage .
Just wrote a post today with similar concerns, but can't see it yet.
My surgery was in May...Stage 2 also, but no Chemo needed. Just had my first 6ths. Blood test results today. CEA prior to surgery was 8. Now it's 7....which is concerning. However, I'm a smoker....which presents higher than average readings.
Talked to my colectoral nurse this afternoon, & she seems very unconcerned about the readings.According to her, CEA levels are just a small factor. & never a determinant. It all depends on other stuff....like how you are feeling/ bowel movements, & CT scans.
So, feeling a tad more positive....wiahing you well!
When I wrote my post, I had to do it again as for some reason I could not see mine, when it works correctly you see your post immediately so if I were you I would do your post again.
I completed my fourth cycle today and I’m currently “dealing with the aftermath of the chemo infusion....it takes about 7 days for those effects to go away and then i have another 7 days of feeling crap with the chemo tablets i take.
I hope that you never find out and wish you all the best.
Incidentally I spoke with my nurse today who pretty much said the same as yours.
I also had my MRI results back all clear so I will do a final CT and or PET CT scan to make doubly and triply sure that we have zapped the little ********** I will let you fill in that word.
I'm almost 2 years post surgery, my CEA levels hover around 6/7. The surgeon who operated is not concerned about the figure or the +/- of results, nor is my wife, a Dr of 35 years experience, so I don't worry either.
Enjoy what's left of Xmas, have a great New year, raise a glass of wine, but as I'm from Liverpool just make sure it's red.
