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What Does Elevated CEA Level After Surgery For Cancer Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Question: My dads cea reading in may was 3 but now 4. We are v concerned its risen. He had surgery march and not started chemo yet . He is a heavy smoker. What shud we do ? Request a scan?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
though CEA level XXXXXXX to 4, it is still within the normal limit and not of concern. You wrote surgery was done in March. I wonder why chemotherapy was not yet started. Chemotherapy's benefit is maximum only if it is started at the earliest. As time gap increases there might not be benefit. Also all patients do not require chemotherapy especially if they are in early stage.
Instead of concentrating on CEA level, it would be of benefit to the patient if chemotherapy is started and treatment completed. Remember cancer gives only one chance and if the chance is lost, there will not be chances of cure especially in GI cancers. So consult your oncologist and plan therapy
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Follow up: Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (17 minutes later)
He did not wNt chemo so it got delayed n
Finally now family have managed to convince him.

He gjven oral
Form to start this week .

He should have it right?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
oral formulation is as good as IV

Detailed Answer:
yes oral formulation of 5FU is capecitabine. Capecitabine is as good as 5FU and can be used. There are other drugs which are available in injectable forms only; just one injection every three weeks. Please ask your oncologist about that also. Nothing to worry about side effects. They are tolerable and worth taking than taking risk of disease coming back.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam

Oncologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 292 Questions

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What Does Elevated CEA Level After Surgery For Cancer Indicate?

Brief Answer: nothing to worry Detailed Answer: though CEA level XXXXXXX to 4, it is still within the normal limit and not of concern. You wrote surgery was done in March. I wonder why chemotherapy was not yet started. Chemotherapy's benefit is maximum only if it is started at the earliest. As time gap increases there might not be benefit. Also all patients do not require chemotherapy especially if they are in early stage. Instead of concentrating on CEA level, it would be of benefit to the patient if chemotherapy is started and treatment completed. Remember cancer gives only one chance and if the chance is lost, there will not be chances of cure especially in GI cancers. So consult your oncologist and plan therapy