significant rise in CEA

[joejoesmom]

My husband has been treated for colon cancer with liver mets since 10/2006.  He just had his yearly colonoscopy a little over 2 weeks ago which was very good. No polyps, completely clear.  Last week he had his cea. When it was checked 2 months ago it was 2.7.  This time it is 27.  I am wondering if the colonoscopy could have caused enough irritation/inflamation that it raised his cea.  The cea level was taken about 2 1/2 weeks post colonoscopy.
He has been off chemo since October of 2008 and doing well. No weight loss, no appetite change, asymptomatic basically.  He is having a CT scan today but haven't scheduled our follow up with the oncologist yet. That is in the works.  I just want to know if that's a realistic possiblity.
Thank you
joejoesmom

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
CEA elevation can occur due to a number of causes, including some not related to cancer.
However, in a known patient of metastatic colon cancer, we must assume that the CEA spike is caused by the underlying disease unless proven otherwise. A PET-CT is a sensitive way to detect any residual or recurrent mass.
I hope the CT comes up clear. But please discuss the results in detail with your oncologist.
All the best, and God Bless!

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Why was the tumor marker panel ordered for your mother? What were her symptoms? Has she had any gastro-intestinal disease or recent infection? Is she a smoker?
Please let me know these details, and we can then discuss in a bit more detail the increase in her CEA level.
All the best, and God Bless!

[rsafi88]

my mom recently did the tests for markers, the alpha feto protein came out to be 3.2U/mL, the CA 19-9Ag is 17.7U/mL but the cea came out to be 28.8 very high, what does this mean? please help me out im in a very sensitive case and need to understand whats wrong with my mom.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
How did the meeting with the oncologist go?
IMRT may be an option if an area of metabolic activity is picked up on PET, but you should get a radiation oncologists opinion about technical feasibility etc.
Good Luck!

[joejoesmom]

Thank you for putting that in perspective for me. It will help me to help my husband better if I'm a little mentally prepared.  We see his Oncologist on Monday.  We have been anticipating him having to restart chemo and possibly some other options.  Do you  have confidence in what success is being had with ablation or IMRT?
Thank you again so much,
sincerely,
joejoesmom