Are Calprotectin Levels Raised In Caner Patients?

Posted on Wed, 18 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 Answered on

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : i just had a calprotectin test which is significantly raised at 150. I had a virtual colonoscopy eighteen months ago. In the last eighteen months I have had two bouts of diarrhea which ended up with some red blood coming out. I do get abdominal pain from time to time and thought it was caused by stress. My stomach also sometimes grumbles a lot. My question is this. My gp says the calprotectin test means I have an inflamed bowel and this can either be crohns or colitis. I have googled the test and it can also be a marker for cancer. i don't understand why he wouldn't have told me this. Is it likely I could have cancer bearing in mind the virtual test I had done eighteen months ago. I am seeing a specialist soon.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Standard coloscopy advised

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your question carefully and understood your concerns.

Yes, it is true that calprotectine level is also raised in cancer patients.

However, if I was your caring doctor would not precipitate into conclusions but would advise to run colonoscopy.

You are reporting to have run virtual colonoscopy but I still insist to run normal colonoscopy as it is the golden standard in differentiating colon cancer and IBD .

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T