Re: Question re: CEA Levels

July 26, 2005

CEA levels for some people are good indicators as to how fast/slow the

cancer is growing. I've heard that there are folks that will have a

normal range 1-5 but their tumors are growing, and vice versa. So it

needs to be read along with CT scans and other markers. I've

been " lucky " that my count matches my CT scans. Also, they look to see

if the count jumps. I went from 5 to 9 and my onc was not too worried,

but if it went from 5 to 20 or more he gets concerned.

From what I can gather the count is NOT an exact science and all kinds

of factors can influence the count. Smoking, heavy duty infection,

pollutants...

After a while you'll get kind of used to the CEA roller coaster.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck!

July 26, 2005

Caroline. From what I understand the CEA levels are important to mark

if there is a change in his cancer. They found out that I had

something going on when my CEA level started rising. And Thankfully

they found the new tumor while it was still very small. Many other

things could effect the CEA levels also. But you need to talk with

his ONC about this maybe when your dad is not around. I am happy that

he is feeling so good. And I am Praying that he stays that way!!!! He

cannot and should not give up any hope. There is always a chance of

things getting better. Could be too that the dieing tumors could

still be leaving there thing in the blood that might still raise the

CEA levels. You need to talk to the ONC and see what he saids about

this. Hope this helps. Ingrid

> Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily

> a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4

colon

> cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was

> admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed

> and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put

in.

> He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first

> round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for

a

> check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight &

> had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was

> still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation.

Since

> he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him

3

> more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd

course

> of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first -

> virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better

> this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery.

> And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming

in

> their pool.

>

> Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes

back

> in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried

about

> the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing.

His

> spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few

weeks,

> and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into

> depression (which he's prone to.)

>

> Thanks,

> Caroline.

July 26, 2005