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Is Rising CEA Levels Indicate Progressive Colon Cancer?

Posted on Thu, 7 Aug 2014

Question: Does a steady rise in cea levels as well as a significant rise indicate progression of colon cancer?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CEA levels

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

CEA is an indicator for colon cancer and a steady rise could mean that there is a possible progression/ recurrence.
However there are many situations where CEA can rise, for example smoking, post chemo and radio therapy, cirrhosis of liver, etc. Please undergo a scan to say for sure if the colon cancer is progressing.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 hours later)

Well my dad cea was 3, this was in may and surgery was in march . Then XXXXXXX was 4, now july 6 that why we worried why its rising

He is a smoker but even still it may be high but should not rise right?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Progression

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Rise in CEA in your dad indicates progression of the malignancy. Please approach your gastroenterologist for further work up. He might require additional anti cancer treatment.
Smoking causes rise is CEA but it does not progressively increase.

I hope I was of help

I wish your father good health

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar