Oh please, not now!

What!! no! what type of cancer is the cea 125? Maybe it's not accurate?  

OHHHH NOOOO! It is a mistake! RETEST!    We are not having this jd, no way!   No way at all!  

Going to google all this, maybe call my RN,    I am so not letting this happen to you!    

Do Not Panic, you know I will be praying like crazy!      


xoxoxo it will be ok!

I'm not sure what the cea125 means, but I think it must not  be good!  I'm sending you my thoughts and best wishes! I just have no experience at all of this, but my heart goes out to you!
Sandy310

Praying as well JD, I know with HCV your tumor marker can rise, but I'm not
sure what is considered high.  
Sending lots of hugs and Prayers your way my friend
Please keep me informed.  
Hugs
Elaine

Me either and that is what I am hoping, been googling, I can't find any info, that I can understand anyway!
RN left for day will try again tomorrow!  

GRRRR, hugs Elaine!

I agree Deb I can't find any info on how high the tumor marker
can be with HCV, but I know it can rise.

JD, hugs and prayers
Deb : hugs and prayers
Elaine

You will be fine. Ive heard from others on the forum that it can be high and all turned out well.
You will be fine. I know it.

I know how difficult this can be try not to panic.
It might not mean anything at all.

Hugs to you also Charm !!!
Elaine

Increased CEA levels can indicate some non-cancer-related conditions, such as some forms of inflammation, cirrhosis, and peptic ulcer. Also, smokers tend to have higher CEA levels than non-smokers

Hugs
Elaine

JD, Wassup with that?? I too am at a loss Re; what all this means, but please try not to worry too much, I'ts'probably nothing.  I too will be wishen and hopin and thinkin and prayin, your gunna be FIIINNNNEEEE!  Many hugs and such, Bevy

Thanks to all for the support.

To clarify, CEA is a tumor marker first associated w/colon cancer but also associated with ovarian, breast, liver and lung cancers (as well as others).  Its not a good screen for cancer in the general population but in those with a history of these cancers, rising CEA indicates tumor growth/activity.  I'm in remission from Stage III colorectal cancer (inherited, I'm the 4th generation to have it) so in my annual followup with radiation oncology they screen for this marker.  This is the first time my level has increased since I completed chemo in 2005.

Apparently CEA can become elevated in patients with cirrhosis, now I'll have to see if INF or Riba could be at work here.  

dang darn and all that...I had ovarian cancer 15 yrs ago.

how much of a rise?

they told me that too...on the CA125, which was my marker....that mine was up 4x higher.....

BUT

but it had only risen from 16 (low normal) to 64 (high normal).

I has to be way beyond that to be of concern since everybody carries some of these markers.

I think you are bound to have some more markers as INF effects you rate of oxidation and neutophils etc.
However, just because you may not be doing as well at scavanging the cancer cells that occur every day while on treatment does not automatically mean you have a tumor or will need chemo.

Talk to your oncologist. My oby/gyn was worried that I went up.....but my oncologist was not. It all depends on the numbers and what other tests might show, and having docs on board that know what all this means.
So just don't get super alarmed until you know more is all.
Wishing you the best.
MB

Here you go, jd ... a link between interferon-alpha taken subcutaneously and CEA tumour markers that went from normal to rising in some.  Hope this helps!!  Seems to indicate it's the INF talking .. not the cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9744727

Six more weeks and counting.........almost there!

Trish

Hiya jd...Hey, don't get excited just yet...Even though I haven't had CA, I did have the test which came back elevated  -all because of a stupid ovarian cyst that WASN"T cancerous! Maybe it's the same for you? (hope, hope...) I'll pray for you...you deserve a break...:)   (((((((((((((((((((Hugz))))))))))) Melinda

JD...still with you my friend....I assume you are going to talk with your doctor.
My heart, hugs and prayers are with you.
I agree with Trish and Medicmom....it could be INF induced?

1/2 way there ! JD  
Hugs
Elaine

I have a call in to the oncologist - should know more after I speak to him.

Let us know,   some good info!    I do hope Trish and Medic, that is inf based.  

xoxoxo hang in there my friend,

JD...
Keep us informed....please
sending hugs and prayers
Elaine  

I wish you very good news and even better luck JD.
Mike

JD I thought we just went through this a month ago - I wouldn't even have seen this thread if Mike hadn't told me!  Were these the results from those tests that you were having taken?

Regardless - I agree with the others, go to the doctor but EXPECT it to be from the dang INF because mind over matter can do MIRACLES to make things happen and I'm SURE that this is what this is!  It certainly seems like it has every reason to be so stay with that thought.

You know I love you and you have ALL of my thoughts and prayers and will continue to until I hear the good news (then I'll just pray for the stupid hcv LOL you keep me busy!)

Deb

Deb,
This is a new wrinkle, just came up yesterday when I saw my hep doc.  She gets copies of all my tests, and I guess the bloodwork just came back.  We were looking at the labs she ordered, then turned the page and there it was - increasing CEA on the panel of tests the oncology team had ordered.

Last month the mammogram issue arose and we decided it was the INF.  Now we have a tumor marker rising.  Colon cancer tends to recur in the liver and lungs - I'm wondering if the recent pneumonia dx or the INF effect on my liver is at work here.  Waiting for the oncology team to get back to me.  They may want to run it past the tumor board - not sure yet what's going yo happen.

I'm taking the position that its the INF, until I hear otherwise.

Still hanging in here with you !!!
I'm taking the same position  INF INF INF
Hugs
Elaine

JD


Hang in there!   We here to hang with you!   Hopefully the oncologist has some better news!

Prayers to you!
PEace
Rita

I lay in bed most of last night torturing myself about what can be causing this.  I don't recommend this!  Its shocking what your imagination does in the middle of a sleepless night.

Time to STOP this, so I'm going outside to admire my roses.  (See my photos, that is ONE rosebush!)  Maybe I'll stroll through the neighborhood and smell people's new-mown grass.  That's so relaxing, and I believe my hgb is high enough to support a leisurely walk.  

Remember HCV can also cause rises in things... (Not just men either... *grin*)

I'm sending you lotsa hope and love....

Meki

JD my friend, a girl after my own heart! That is what I would do,  Roses so beautiful and fragrant.   I very often look out the window or go for a little walk and look at the mountains.  They  always sooth my fragile spirit.

Wish I could walk abit with you, I would hold your hand and embarrass the **** out of you! :) it IS going to be ok,    

You know I would too!    thoughts are with you and my prayers, my beads and everyone elses are clicking for you!

XOXOXOX

Deb

JD, I hate to hear your having a hard time.   Dont worry...... it does no good, except distract you.  I'm hoping its all OK, and I will send a few prayers your way.  Hang in look at your roses and wait until you KNOW whats going on... Good Luck,,,, XXXX M

Don't know how I missed this news last week, but I did. I am kind of glad because from the subsequent comments, it looks like there may be other causes for the CEA rise (HCV, Pegasys).  I am hoping so!  You deserve a big break.

Brent

Good news today - CEA level is back into normal range.  What a relief!  Thanks everybody for your good wishes, they mean so much.

jd  

So glad to hear the good news!  Cancer-free and SVR... a perfect combination!  
Best wishes,
~eureka

Fantastic. Oh I am so glad to hear t his you made my day!! Some good news for  a change!!

Wish you well as always!!! YIPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JD....this is truly great wonderful news...!!!
All my best to you always my friend !!!
Hugs
Elaine

jd, I'm so sorry I missed all this. I hope it's not too late to chime in. Congratulations! I am so happy for you that it turned out to be a false alarm and that everything is good! It must be a great relief and you deserve it. Hugs, Marcia

Thanks, everybody.  Yes, about time for some good news on this board, its been such a tough week around here!  Now I just have 2 more weeks of tx and I can look forward to getting back to normal, whatever the new normal turns out to be!

Still cancer free - WAHOO!!!!!