CEA tests are generally safe. No follow-ups for me until May - 8 months post-op. As you are Id be very concerned and trying my best to determine why the CEA levels are raised. Its what happens when you have been diagnosed with Cancer; especially when it has been a recent diagnosis, like yours. At least 50% of patients with severe benign hepatic disease have elevated CEA levels, most often active . It is a blood test that measures the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, whose levels are not affected by the intake of food. Does that fit in you case? Clinical signs and imaging modalities also play a role in the final assessment. Research indicates that false-positive results are reported with concentrations as high as 35 ng/mL. That surgery was done January 2016. Here we go again. It does mention about smoking being a factor to raise a CEA level. When my CEA went from .5 to .6 I about freaked out. This test isnt an accurate way to screen for it because many other diseases can cause the levels of this protein to rise. Providers generally conduct a physical exam and imaging to determine this. Inflammation can affect tumor development and progression in addition to the response to therapy. It helps to talk with others about their experiences. Our findings clearly indicated that immobilization stress results in enhanced serum CEA level whether the stress is acute or chronic. My CEA number from the recent blood test showed my CEA to be 4.9(which the company puts an average range of 0.2.5 or up to 3.0. A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures CEA, a specific blood protein. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Keep us posted. Required fields are marked *. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I'm planning to stop seeing the oncologist all together and stick with my onc surgeon, gastroenterologist and family doctor because I can't live my life with no answers. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Random effect model results demonstrated that patients with severe COVID-19 group had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-2R (IL-2R), serum amyloid A (SAA) and neutrophil-to- , Your email address will not be published. Others include cancers of the pancreas, stomach, breast, lung, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and ovarian cancer.Benign conditions which can elevate CEA include smoking, infections, inflammatory bowel disease . On it's own, a 3.4 wouldn't get anyone excited. I've been fluctuating around 1.0 - 1.7 ever since. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Take a deep breath - you're okay! Best wishes for everyone else in this situation. I truely wish eveyone the best!! Disclaimer. When do you have your next appointment? I hope you get them sorted soon. High CRP levels can also indicate that theres inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which can mean a higher risk of heart attack. to remove more and search for cancer. That comes back clear. However your CEA level goes up and down over time, just like your blood sugar level, blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine, Alcohol, and Tobacco. CEA elevation; inflammatory response; oxaliplatin. Similarly, cortisol can be elevated as training continues. The cancer had not gotten out of the colon area. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Don't let these numbers frighten you - at this level, they are meaningless, even if they trend up. How frustrating it is when you get on the scales after eating healthy and find you've gone up 5 tenths of a pound. Retest done to make sure no lab error. Thank you for any help or advice! He said in his practice he said about 1 in 4 of his patients being tracked with CEA will have high false positives. What questions or next steps would be reasonable to ask her? And one more thing, from my understanding, there are two ways to test your CEA blood results, and one always test a little higher. I've reviewed the stats for my situation. I was statge I crc, had a partial colectomy . It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Can stress raise CEA levels? We all get caught up in the stats, it is difficult not to when you are dealing with this. ), Betsy (who was diagnosed Stage 4 in 2005 and is still here and off chemo), I finally got down to a 1.8 after the last surgery, then it went to 2, then 2.2, then 2.6, it just kept bumping up. If CEA levels both start and remain high, it could indicate that the cancer is not responding to treatment. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. I was already scheduled to have a small bowel capsule endoscopy. Here are mine: I am concerned that after the surgery it was very low, but it is slowly going up within the last 6 months and that this could be a sign of slow tumor growth in my colon where the CT scan is unable to detect. Careers. Our findings clearly indicated that immobilization stress results in enhanced serum CEA level whether the stress is acute or chronic. A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. "Hi Dianne, Welcome to Connect. If your CEA levels significantly decrease throughout treatment, it often means your treatment is working. The CA 27.29 blood test can create false positives for a number of different reasons. False-positive results greater than 15 ng/mL are rare, and all confirmed CEA levels greater than 35 ng/mL were associated with cancer recurrence. I am 62. I need to find a way to deal with this issue. Overtime, that would cause stress on blood vessels. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Serum CEA levels fluctuate over time in healthy individuals, and the intraindividual variation has been reported to be about 30% . Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the level of which is known to increase in both patients with gastrointestinal cancers and those with non-neoplastic conditions, is one of the most widely-used tumor markers. One of the effects it could have on health is a spike in blood sugar levels. I feel fine, exercising, not losing weight.I made an appointment to see my GP this coming week to share these results. Well now since i last posted my CEA went to 0.7 So on day of surgery it was 1.5, after surgery <.3, then .5, .6 and now 8 months after surgery it is .7! Thank you for all the repsonses regarding CEA blood test. We redid the test again in 6 weeks which was yesterday and they have increased by 0.3 to 6.4. When I changed to a different lab fro my blood work, my CEA went from .5 to 1.6 (yes, I freaked out); but then I was told that my blood had been tested at a different lab, which tests come out higher. CEA tests of other body fluids usually take 30 minutes or less. However levels can vary depending on . Again, nothing found. Up until this surgery was done my CEA levels were in the 3-4 range. CEA levels will generally return to normal between one and four months after the cancer has been successfully removed. On april 19th 2017, 5-FU was stopped, and just got erbitux. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. I through up and broke out in a rash on my arm and stomach. Stress is bad for you too. In general, a CEA level of more than 2.9 ng/mL is considered abnormal but doesnt necessarily mean that cancer is present. 2006 Nov 20;24(33):5313-27. This number makes me very nervous but it is really only another tool and I have found other things can cause it to rise like a dental infection or even a sinus infection so I try my best not to get too anxious when there is a spike upwards Our findings clearly indicated that immobilization stress results in enhanced serum CEA level whether the stress is acute or chronic. Since my CA 15.3 level was 22 the doctor wanted to retest it. I had 23 lymph nodes removed and all of them were clear, and I also had a CT scan that was good. Healthcare providers dont use CEA tests to diagnose cancer. A retrospective cohort study of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, with an exploratory analysis of changing serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Healthcare providers dont use these tests to diagnose cancer. Biomarkers. It goes up a little, then a little more (and when we're talking little, .5 .7 it is little) it is still frightening to us, but it is normal. Thank you for your kind words. A retrospective study finding a 49% false-positive of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing among patients with a history of resected colorectal cancer, "suggests that confirmation of an ongoing increase in CEA level should be universal practice before an extensive workup is initiated," Anya Litvak, MD, and colleagues from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) reported in the . As far as my statement about doctors and medical scientist not knowing the correlations between the grade of tumor cells and CEA, I still believe this. I am going to see my GP in an hour. Diverticulitis . Drink more water? The study, which followed 96 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), found that those who felt more stress and anxiety about about their condition also had a higher volume of cancer cells in their blood and higher blood levels of markers for advanced disease. Confirmation of CEA elevation in this range before initiating imaging studies may be appropriate. I wish all the best and pray for all. Generally, healthcare providers consider typical CEA levels to be between 0 and 2.9 ng/mL. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You tend to wait for the "other shoe to drop.". Many healthy people have normal level of tumor makers, which is called normal range, reference range or reference interval on lab reports. Research has linked blood CEA levels greater than 3.8 units per milliliter (ml) with an increased risk of the ovarian tumor being . CA 15-3 levels can also be elevated in healthy people, as well as in people with other cancers such as lung, pancreas, colon, ovary, or prostate. Thanks for telling us about the results of the CT scan. They must be used along with radiology tests and exams by your healthcare provider. Serum CEA levels fluctuate over time in healthy individuals, and the intraindividual variation has been reported to be about 30% . As a result, this test cannot establish a cancer diagnosis on its own and is not used as a general screening tool for cancer. So now I wait another couple of weeks to have my CEA retested. Confirmation of the exact benign cause of CA 19-9 elevation has a very important clinical value in that anxiety and unnecessary follow-up tests can be eliminated in patients. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. The nurse doesn't know why the doc wants a new CEA. Forty-three patients (48.9%) experienced CEA fluctuations exceeding 0.5 ng/mL during adjuvant chemotherapy; CEA increases indicated true recurrence in 2 patients (4.7%). "ca 125=54 and endometriosis ..any relation? It statistically suggest a much higher probability of recurrence. I've been off of chemo since December 15, 2016 and my CEA has gradually moved from 1.2 in December to 3.4 yesterday. Here I am with just about the same amount of activity as when I was first diagnosed. A high level of CEA can be a sign of certain types of cancers. They are not very "specific," meaning non-cancer health issues can also cause these levels to be higher. Welcome to the forums, sorry you have to be here, but this is a good place with good people. Oxaliplatin has been shown to cause an inflammatory response which appears to be one of the mechanisms of toxicity and high CEA levels have been correlated with increased inflammation. All clear too. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Merry Christmas! It is elevated in more than 90% cases of colon and pancreatic cancer, 70% cases of non-small cell lung cancer, and 50% cases of breast cancer. The normal range for CEA in an adult non-smoker is <2.5 ng/ml and for a smoker <5.0 ng/ml. I can certainly understand your concern about the increase in the CEA number. Sperling Prostate Center (877) 605-2737. Theres no magic number or threshold for a CEA test that points to cancer. Inject your lower back or chest with numbing medicine (local anesthesia). Pathology comes back Stage 0 appendicial cancer. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. Can stress raise CEA levels? The .gov means its official. Elevated levels of CEA occur when the CEA is higher than 3 ng/mL. Transient CEA increase at start of oxaliplatin combination therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Consistent with our finding, there are reports suggesting that stress can increase tumor growth and tumor marker expression. Elevated circulating CEA levels occur in patients with benign gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Post author: Post published: June 8, 2022 Post category: what happened after mao zedong died Post comments: closing announcement target closing announcement target Most healthy people have levels below this amount. I go in and get CEA done. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. Litvak A, Cercek A, Segal N, Reidy-Lagunes D, Stadler ZK, Yaeger RD, Kemeny NE, Weiser MR, Pessin MS, Saltz L. False-positive elevations of carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with a history of resected colorectal cancer. There are many factors other than cancer that can cause fluctuations in your CEA; general inflammation for one. The following non-cancer conditions can result in increased CEA levels: Certain people exposed to therapeutics that are fully or partially derived from animals like monoclonal antibodies also have elevated CEA levels. He said no. He prefers not to look at CEA at all for people like me, but the other oncologist is pushing for genetic tests, and suggested I do chemo even though it isn't protocol for my stage. Stress hormones can inhibit a process called anoikis, which kills diseased cells and . Consistent with . At that time they removed 1/3 of my colon. Healthcare providers dont use the CEA test to screen for or diagnose cancer. Cases with CEA 5 ng/mL were majorly in Stage III, whereas those with CEA >5 ng/mL were predominantly in Stage IV. J Clin Oncol. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This is my first contribution to CSN, of many i hope and prayer and just wanted to relate a part of my fight against this terrible killer. Accessibility My CEA levels were within normal ranges but it turned out I have stage III rectal cancer so it doesnt always match up. Anticancer Res. Thank you and I will let you know when I have some news to share. What is a bad CEA level? If you have values that are that high, it doesnt mean you have cancer. Cancer antigen 125 (also known as carbohydrate antigen 125 or CA 125) is an antigen first identified by Bast et al. Can stress raise CEA levels? And we don't worry about CEA.). Went back to my CRC surgeon and he did a right hemicolectomy to be sure nothing gets left behind. Had a lymphedectomy(?) The CEA test is only one piece of the puzzle. It does mention about smoking being a factor to raise a CEA level. Both benign (harmless) and malignant (cancerous) conditions can increase the CEA level. @spedteacher At the request of @hopeful33250 I am responding to you. So far none of my doctors have suggested using those other blood tests. Nothing was found during the colonoscopy and my GI doc was about to complete the exam. Abstract. Can stress raise CEA levels? Can stress raise CEA levels? Interested in more discussions like this? Is that right? can cause it to rise. The numbers do not correspond with where I'm at in terms of tumor growth. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/11/2022. I just had my 1st year colonoscopy this morning, following a clean CT scan. The anxiety and concern you have should also be conveyed, especially if you have been a patient of this dr for a while. First, mental and physical stress triggers the release of cortisol, increases blood pressure, and quickens the heart rate. After you have a diagnosis, and before you have treatment and/or surgery. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is a blood glycoprotein. "Hello @spedteacher, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. And I DO appreciate the conversation. This theory is not new, but it's certainly been proven to the point of absurdity. And some people with cancer dont have high CEA levels. CEA at surgery was around 8. I continued with FOL-FOX and erbitux until April 5th 2017 when oxilplatin was stopped. today April 17,2017 my cea is 14.8. my liver functions are normal with no stomach pain and no cell activitie and tumors have shrunk as per petscan on Feb. 4th 2017. Your doctor will be able to give you a fuller picture of what is going on. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. At onset i had Cea level of >4000 ng/ml. FOIA Consistent with our finding, there are reports suggesting that stress can increase tumor growth and tumor marker expression [26, 27]. I have had my mammogram done and it is clear, I dont have any more colon so it cant be colon cancer, I had a hysterectomy when I was in my 20s so that rules out ovarian cancer. Ng SL, Burns WI, Snyder RD, Newnham GM, McLachlan SA, Liew D, Dowling AJ. In addition, levels >20 ng/ml before therapy may be associated with cancer which has already spread (metastatic disease). He doesn't like what he's hearing and orders a PET/CT. Before Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. 2011 Jun;22 Suppl 2:S15-7. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Can stress raise CEA levels? 2022 Aug 25;9:945433. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.945433. Biotin can affect the results of the test. Reply. I hope you are doing good. Also, other things going on in the body can influence the CEA results. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I have really been stressed out over my last CEA level and can't help but think there could be something brewing with the levels going up from after the surgery but I have to try to keep thinking positive thoughts. She is seeing a different oncologist and the same topic came up about CEA rise and when one should worry. Conditions such as smoking infection pregnancy and various inflammatory diseases can all cause an increase in CEA levels.The normal range for CEA levels is 0-5 ng/mL. I wish you all the best and negative cancer findings! If you're a non-smoker, they consider your CEA normal until its above 3.0 I've heard of some Oncologistst say 5.0. This test isn't an accurate way to screen for it because many other diseases can cause the levels of this protein to rise . Talked to my CRC surgeon about what is going on. "While we know that CEA levels can help identify patients with potentially resectable disease, this study should help make clinicians aware of the fact that the likelihood of a recurrence depends on the level of CEA elevation and whether or not . I am very scared that I may have cancer somewhere in my body I am not aware of. Hello, I am new to this group. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I did find out I am allergic to the dye they use for the scan. Few people are aware that exercise, especially intense activity, can significantly alter certain laboratory tests. Sometimes the CEA test is repeated to check that it wasn't just a blip or it might trigger scans in order to find out more. I asked him how common is it. Cochrane reviews (highly respected meta-studies that are often used as guidelines) suggest a CEA of 10 as a trigger to start looking for recurrence. CA 19-9 levels decreased, were maintained, or increased by <20% in 39 patients, and increased by >20% in 9. Also, tumor markers aren't useful for everyone. If your CEA results were normal, you may still have cancer. Yes, CEA can increase due to many non-cancer factors including just being stressed/run-down. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of oxaliplatin-induced rising CEA level. I am IV B. An X, Ding PR, Xiang XJ, Wang ZQ, Wang FH, Feng F, Jiang WQ, He YJ, Xu RH, Li YH. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare for a CEA test. Mine was low when I was diagnosed - and all through treatment. Carcinoembryonic Antigen, also called CEA, is a protein that may be elevated in many colorectal cancer patients and is detected in the blood. There's lots of scientific research to prove it. From medline.com, here is an article about CEA and when it may be useful https://www.healthline.com/health/cea False-positive results greater than 15 ng/mL are rare, and all confirmed CEA levels greater than 35 ng/mL were associated with cancer recurrence. But this test isnt used in isolation. OTOH the persistent high readings put us in the group with sibstantially increased odds of recurrence. I recently had a blood test for a life insurance company to see if I would qualify for coverage. I know that I am in a good place as far as cancer goes and I feel very lucky to be here. "Chronic stress also can help cancer grow and spread in a number of ways," Sood says. Epub 2009 Oct 27. Elevated serum CEA is not highly specific for colon cancer recurrence, while various other gastrointestinal disorders such as pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, biliary tract abnormalities (benign or malignant) and liver disorders may contribute to increased serum CEA and false-positive results [2]. And some people with cancer dont have high CEA levels. What is the normal range for CEA blood levels? I am sure we will just be coming up with a plan of some sort. I know that it's good to stay on top of changes, but I wonder about the damage that having this type of stress does. A 2019 study, for example, showed that stress hormones can increase the number of pro-tumor immune cells in tumors. Our findings clearly indicated that immobilization stress results in enhanced serum CEA level whether the stress is acute or chronic. Thanks for your help. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. Doctors don't use the CEA test to make a first-time diagnosis of cancer. CEA levels may be high in connection with a number of conditions. How long does it take for CEA to return to normal? Thus, we suggest that exercise for 2-3 days per week decreases the expression of CEA and improves body condition, without loading fatigue or stress, which may contribute to preventing cancer in the elderly women. But a rise in CEA level four to six weeks after initiation of therapy doesnt necessarily mean treatment failure, relapse or recurrence. MeSH My CEA level on 7/11 was 5.1. I would just watch itfor now, but watch it monthly (I even persuaded my onc . 2010 May;15(3):243-8. doi: 10.3109/13547500903477377. However, serum CEA levels fluctuate over time even in the same individuals. This combination then triggers increased cholesterol levels. Benign conditions which can elevate CEA include smoking, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors in the same organs in which an elevated CEA level indicates cancer. CEA levels will generally return to normal between one and four months after the cancer has been successfully removed. The blood level of this protein disappears or becomes very low after birth. Inserts a small needle into one of your veins, usually in your arm. Hello Ginger, A doctor will interpret the results of the test. Two Cases of Transiently Elevated Serum CEA Levels in Severe Hypothyroidism without Goiter.. PubMed. 2014 Jun;12(6):907-13. If your creatinine level is above normal range . These are usually less than 10 ng/ml. It does not store any personal data. This study showed that CEA levels can vary by body mass index, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and glycosylated hemoglobin and that these factors should be adjusted before interpreting CEA levels in clinical practice. They are available on this number 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday, between 9 a.m - 5 p.m. You are just being a normal Cancer patient, with all the anxiety that comes with the diagnosis. I don't think your CEA's are anything to worry about. In adults, an abnormal level of CEA may be a sign of cancer. I am ER+, PR+ and HER2 Neg. Epub 2020 Sep 8. High CEA levels may also be a sign of some noncancerous conditions, such as cirrhosis, noncancerous breast disease, and emphysema. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. What can cause a false positive CEA? Maybe it's my personality, but I'd strongly prefer to know today - the waiting in ignorance is the harder part. All Rights Reserved. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. There were two masses, one larger then the other, but they were able to remove both. Tumor markers can go up and down over time, making it hard to measure them consistently. He immediately said, that's not good. Joint pain. Tobacco use can lead to elevated CEA levels. Specialists in a laboratory analyze the blood to check for CEA. Regarding CA 19-9, five patients had the . CEA = Create Elevated AnxietyMy CEA has run the range from 0.57 to about 17.0. Please meet @travelgirl @martid @ilene1 @soul @brglight @nannytart @bush @sallyg @starrlight and @joannem. Required fields are marked *. Spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF). I stopped having it checked in 2013 as it was not a good indicator for me. My oncologist doesn't seem to worried and has said so. https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cea/tab/test/. It can also be increased during pregnancy. Our findings clearly indicated that immobilization stress results in enhanced serum CEA level whether the stress is acute or chronic. What do high inflammatory markers indicate? Depending on the lab, the new normal CEA level is anywhere from 4 to 5. Some forms of CRC are unlikely to be associated with elevated CEA, and also those same types have poor prognosis, however in others types of CRC, elevated CEA does correlate with poorer outcomes and suggests metastitisis to liver or lung (primarily, but others ) . Copyright 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.