What Causes Elevated CEA Levels With History Of Colon Cancer?

Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015

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

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 Answered on

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi My husband had colon cancer detected in May 2014. he was operated and after adjuvent chemo, the 1st PET showed 1 spot on liver, but on operation and biopsy it turned to be begnin and actually not a tumor but a mass od dead cells as a effcet of chemo. There was also a Haemongioma development noticed. Subsequqntly an ultrasound was done in April and also confirmed that no more mets and a 1 haemengioma was present. at this time his CEA was10. Today the report said CEA at 40. We are going for a scan. But can this indicate any recurrance? His case was starnge last time also. So can this spike be for any liver infection scenario as a result of his last liver recerction operaion

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It could be due to recurrence

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query carefully. I am sorry to know about your husband. The increase in CEA could be due to recurrence. The hemangioma is unrelated and not a cause to worry about. However, since it is vascular, it may complicate a surgery.

If he has received a recent episode of chemotherapy that could also cause transient increase in CEA.

Let me know if you have any further queries and I would be happy to help.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar