Question about CEA markers

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1

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to never having to come back to this forum after the Chemo of my mom.

In 2023 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, there was no spreading to other organs but she did have 9 involved lymph nodes removed.

My mom had to go trough 6 months of weekly Chemo and is now on chemo pills that she should take for atleast two years (the cancer is hormonal)

Today she went for here monthly bloodwork and the ground was removed from under our feet as the oncologist told my mom she had to have a PET scan since here CEA levels based on the fact that there are some inconsistencies regarding the CEA levels:

  • May 19th 2024 - CEA 3,8 ug/L (non-smoker)
  • July 2 2024 - CEA 4,0 ug/L (non-smoker)
  • October 28 2024 - CEA 4,9 ug/L (non-smoker)
  • December 9 2024 - CEA 5,6 ug/L (non-smoker)
  • Januari 20 2025 - CEA 4,9 ug/L (non-smoker)

Do these results indicate that there is more than likely metastasis? Are these results very worying…i’m trying to comfort here but this news really scared here allot. Is it a good sign that in comparison to december (5,6 ug/L) the markers went down this month to 4,9 ug/L. Or does that mean absolutely nothing?

She does have lots intestinal problems since starting chemo, almost 1 year of daily diarrhoea. Could this be a reason why the CEA is higher than it should or are we just fooling ourselves?

Just a month ago she had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Both were ok.

Is this it…is this the moment i’ve been afraid of for all this time that i’m going to lose my mom?

1 Like
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Nobody please?

3

Hi,
From your post I think the oral medication you are talking about is Abemaciclib. I am taking this medication too, but my oncologist has never checked my CEA. However my liver results have been abnormal at times and I had a liver scan which was normal. It turned out that the abnormal results were due to another medical condition which was eventually picked up. I understand your anxiety and the waiting is torture I hope it all turns out well for your mum.

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Hi Elien

Thanks for posting on our forum

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With best wishes.

Lisa

Ask Our Nurses service co-ordinator

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5

This website is excellent in understanding tests - why they are taken - and what the results may indicate. It is the website referenced by some of the NHS trusts.
The following link is for the specific test you mention - hope it helps.