What Would Cea Levels Be If Cancer Was Progressing Or Reccuring?

Posted on Sat, 12 Jul 2014

Question: What would cea levels be if cancer was progressing or reoccuring?

My dads went from 3 to 4 from may to XXXXXXX . He had surgery in march and was a dukes c1

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Colorectal carcinoma

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
CEA is essential marker for colorectal carcinoma. If the levels show persistent increase from the normal range this means either recurrence or progression of the disease. C1 tumor post surgery CEA should be in normal range.
Truly,
Dr. J. Ticku

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (18 minutes later)

So is it concerning that it was raised by 1 point in the space of 1 month from 4 to 5?

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
normal range...

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

It is in normal range. You need not worry. You have to repeat it after a month or so. And if there is further increase by 2 to 3 points, it will be matter of concern and more investigations will be needed otherwise take it easy.

Truly,
Dr. j. Ticku

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (5 hours later)

Thanks. He didnt want chemo but we have convinced him to atleast try it....is he more at risk if does not have chemo?

When should we request a pet scan? His surgery was march.

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
colorectal carcinoma

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Since PET is the latest tool in identifying any metastasis it can be done at any time to be sure that there is no metastasis or local recurrence.
chemotherapy is given in adjuvant setting, which means when with all our investigations there is no evidence of disease but still we think that some cancer cells may have leaked and we want to hit those. this adjuvant therapy is routinely used in all cases of colorectal carcinomas except when it is only a T1 lesion. Since there were lymph nodes identified not knowing whether they were positive or negative , adjuvant chemotherapy should be given. It can be easy two drug combination or thee drug combination named by different regimens.
Truly,
Dr. J. Ticku

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (3 hours later)

Lymph nodes were affected- 1o they saud near tumor only.final pathology report was dukes c1.

Answered by Dr. dr. Jawahar Ticku (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
As stated in my earlier answer, for better results the chemo should be given
Truly,
Dr. J. Ticku

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad