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What Causes Slight Raised CEA Levels With History Of Colon Cancer?
Question: My last question was about kower left abdominal pain...cea 2.9....negative colonoscopy...the MD was not aware I did have a colonoscopy.MY belly bloats...then tender....pains intermittent on lower left below hipbone. I was concerned about ovarian cancer(I had colon cancer in situ remeoved during colonoscopy 1998) although intravaginal ultrasound showed an atrophic ovary...nothing else remarkable. My Dr. wants me to have a CT scan and giving me the impression of seriousness....I don't know what he expects to find given all this information.Metastatic lesions? I have had no recurrence for 14 years...basically all I have is some lower left pain and 2.9 CEA...I am a wreck....my cancer was in situ with no neoplasm in surrounding tissues.neg colonoscopy every year...then 3 years...2 months ago. im thinking possible diverticulosis...some seen on last colonoscopy.
I suppose my bigger concern is why my MD is doing a CT scan to look for any spread of a cancer in situ(removed during colonoscopy) when I was told here the likelihood was scarce considering all my follow up tests have been negative. He said a 2.9 CEA warrants the test...I am terrified as I have been meticulous with my health and Dr. appts,etc. Sorry to be repetitive but I need reassurance. is motives at times are questionable regarding other issues...a lot of drama...I need facts.making me ill...I have PTSD due to a kidnapping years ago and suffer from a lot of anxiety.Thank you for your patience Thank you
I suppose my bigger concern is why my MD is doing a CT scan to look for any spread of a cancer in situ(removed during colonoscopy) when I was told here the likelihood was scarce considering all my follow up tests have been negative. He said a 2.9 CEA warrants the test...I am terrified as I have been meticulous with my health and Dr. appts,etc. Sorry to be repetitive but I need reassurance. is motives at times are questionable regarding other issues...a lot of drama...I need facts.making me ill...I have PTSD due to a kidnapping years ago and suffer from a lot of anxiety.Thank you for your patience Thank you
Brief Answer:
what was your baseline CEA
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to HCM.
For a nonsmoker adult the normal CEA level is <2.5ng/ml.
Its increased in various cancers like colon, pancreas, stomach and breast and also in benign conditions like bowel and pancreas infection.
Your CEA is just slightly raised above the normal level.
So we need to know if these levels were done anytime before. If yes, and now it has increased from the previous level then its recurrence of your colon cancer.
If it was not done before, then with your negative colonoscopy results, you can wait for six months and get it repeated and see if that time it is same or increased.
If its same, then nothing to worry. But if its increased then further evaluation is a must.
Hope, i have been helpful.
Regards
Dr. Ashish Verma
what was your baseline CEA
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to HCM.
For a nonsmoker adult the normal CEA level is <2.5ng/ml.
Its increased in various cancers like colon, pancreas, stomach and breast and also in benign conditions like bowel and pancreas infection.
Your CEA is just slightly raised above the normal level.
So we need to know if these levels were done anytime before. If yes, and now it has increased from the previous level then its recurrence of your colon cancer.
If it was not done before, then with your negative colonoscopy results, you can wait for six months and get it repeated and see if that time it is same or increased.
If its same, then nothing to worry. But if its increased then further evaluation is a must.
Hope, i have been helpful.
Regards
Dr. Ashish Verma
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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