My Mom was diagnosed with Dukes C colorectal cancer 3 years ago. She too had
surgery, radiation and chemo. Her CEA count was taken every 3 to 4 months
and remained 0.1 to 0.3 . Then, last November her CEA count started to go
up. Just a little at a time. Her oncologist began with a CAT scan, found
nothing, then a CEA scan, found nothing. They did an MRI, mammogram,
colonoscopy and found nothing. So they waited another 2 months. Then the
CEA went up 10 points more, then 7 more points to 27. The oncologist finally
convinced my Mom that even though they could not see a tumor, he assured her
that the cancer was back and she started on the chemo again for 6 months.
The oncologist said that the CEA marker is just that, a marker. It gives
them a sign that something is going on and something needs to be done. Hope
this helps. Mary
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