Question: My Mom is 53 years old , 72 kg, she was diagnosed with Colo-Rectal cancer Stage III a year and half back (in., Aug-2011). Her Sugar and BP levels are normal. She underwent Chemotherapy through IV - 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using port a XXXXXXX The 6 cycles of Chemo completed in April 2012. Now that her blood count is quite normal 10.2, and CEA Is around 2.5 and the side effects of the treatment have also been reversing. But she has backpain (not continuous though) and knee pain very often. she now takes medicine for the soft tissue between the knee bones as advised by the doctor. Is the backpain/ knee pain normally due to overweight or something related to the ailment?
I would also like to know when we can get the port inserted in the right chest region removed as she sometimes feels an irritation over the area.
The Doctor advised us to get the CEA test done every three months to monitor the level of carcino antigens. Please also let me know if this test alone is sufficient as a follow up to diagnose metastasis?

Thanks so much for the reply Sir.

Could you also let me know if CEA test is alone enough for further diagnosis? Does she need to undergo a PET scan? if so when?

When is it advisable to remove the inserted Portacath?


Thanks in Advance.