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cea rising
I had a blood test yesterday which shows my cea rising from 1.9 (Sept 2014) to 2.9 ng/ml (Ogos 2015) within several month. I am a non smoker, is it consider high cus i read some article say that a normal non smoker cea is less than 2.5 ng ml, is it a sign of tumor cus there is 1.0 ng ml rising within several month. What should i do now
Your physician definitely needs to monitor your levels and he/she can tell you better how often he plans on doing that.
It seems that your doctor has you under surveillance given the testing you've already had so far. Just make sure your doctor stays on top of the blood work and imaging tests. Has he told you if he has any suspicions yet, and of so, what is he watching for?
thank u for all of ur reply, so any suggestion for my case, do I need a repeat cea test?
No one is aurguing that CEA isn't a tumor marker. It simply isn't used in a diagnostic fashion. "Sensitivity and specificity are low, however, so it is of more use for monitoring than for screening or diagnosis." ... "CEA levels are useful in assessing prognosis (with other factors), detecting recurrence and monitoring treatment ...". So there is no point in assuming one has cancer due to a mild elevation in CEA, it's not a diagnostic tool.
And I've had many procedures postponed for up to a year to fulfill the needed period imposed by insurance company. And yes, doctors can take precious time out of their busy day to fight the bean-counters but this isn't typically done. Better to work within the system and pick your battles, as appropriate.
And I've had many procedures postponed for up to a year to fulfill the needed period imposed by insurance company. And yes, doctors can take precious time out of their busy day to fight the bean-counters but this isn't typically done. Better to work within the system and pick your battles, as appropriate.
CEA is indeed used as a cancer marker, however, other non-cancer conditions, some GI conditions, can cause the CEA level to rise. Your levels definitely need to be monitored. It's been almost a year since your last level was checked and the recent level that was checked, so the increase over a year isn't so alarming.
Secondly, how often you get your endoscopies done will be determined by your physician, however, I've never seen the need for a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy to be done every year UNLESS the physician feels this is needed, but nevertheless, these tests should be repeated at some time being you have a condition that needs to be monitored.............Chronic Gastritis. An insurance company CANNOT override your physician's order IF your physician can justify through documentation that whatever he has ordered is absolutely necessary.
Secondly, how often you get your endoscopies done will be determined by your physician, however, I've never seen the need for a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy to be done every year UNLESS the physician feels this is needed, but nevertheless, these tests should be repeated at some time being you have a condition that needs to be monitored.............Chronic Gastritis. An insurance company CANNOT override your physician's order IF your physician can justify through documentation that whatever he has ordered is absolutely necessary.
There are two main reasons not to do the procedures frequently: risk and cost. The cost is a big issue with your insurance company and they will only authorize these procedures on a preset schedule that the doctors must follow. There is a small risk, especially with the colonoscopy, of causing GI damage, so your doctor's will always work to balance the risk/reward equation based on your diagnosis and related symptoms. But the biggest limitation will likely be the cost, insurance companies are really pushing back hard now days and sometimes overturning the doctor's orders.
why, isn't important to do endoscopy and colonoscopy every year like other medical check up. At least I can feel relief one year if there is not any major problem.
No, there's no need for a follow-up wrt that particular diagnosis. If you have additional problems that your GI doctor is treating, then you'll have to discuss it with him. I have the pleasure of getting an endoscopy and colonoscopy done every two years, not fun. Hoping you don't follow my path.
I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy last year and just found minimal chronic superficial gastritis. I just wonder do I need a repeat test for those?
That is dependent on what they think they might need to be watching for. Do you have a chronic disease that might be related to cancer?
thank u for ur reply, do i need another tumor marker test and what type of test should I take?
The relevant min/max levels should be printed out on the report sheet and are usually lab specific, depending on how the testing is done. However 2.5 is a usual normal level for non-smokers. But your 2.9 elevation is very mild and is non-specific. The mild elevation you're seeing can easily be caused through benign processes as well.
Given the non-specific nature of CEA, it cannot be used in a diagnostic way. Typically the doctors will use it once they already know that you have some form of cancer. Then it is used only to monitor your progress and/or the effectiveness of the treatments they might be using. They would not start looking for cancer simply due to a mild elevation. And CEA, as an individual tumor marker, lacks enough sensitivity, so the doctors will usually pair it up with another tumor marker to create a more sensitive combination marker.
Given the non-specific nature of CEA, it cannot be used in a diagnostic way. Typically the doctors will use it once they already know that you have some form of cancer. Then it is used only to monitor your progress and/or the effectiveness of the treatments they might be using. They would not start looking for cancer simply due to a mild elevation. And CEA, as an individual tumor marker, lacks enough sensitivity, so the doctors will usually pair it up with another tumor marker to create a more sensitive combination marker.
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