Elevated CEA Count

Prior to having a cancerous polyp removed, my CEA count was 9.  The count was 17.5 when the oncologist did a follow-up after surgery. The test was repeated this week and the count is 15. Should I be concerned? I am a former smoker but have quit recently. Could that still produce a high reading. My doctor says as long as the count is not rising, no further testing will be done

[PaulMD]

Hi.

Another important thing to consider is the interval of time between the surgery and hte measurement of this tumor marker.  CEA levels would tend to normalize in a span of several months after surgery.  If there is an increasing trend, then I agree that this will be the time to be aggressive in doing the work ups.

Make sure also that it is indeed just a cancerous polyp and no other sites of disease before you were operated (like lymph nodes or liver nodules).  If there is any reason to suspect reidual disease, then this may explain the elevated CEA counts.

Regards.