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What Should CEA Value Be When There Is Spread Of Cancer?
Posted on
Wed, 19 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 19 Nov 2014
Answered on
Fri, 5 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : If there are metastases, eg 2, should the cea be high ? If so , what kind of reading ?
Brief Answer:
CEA, sensitive, greater than 2.5ng/ml, other things
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
CEA for sure is one the very sensitive markers for cancer spread (metastasis) used in day to day clinical care. Its is sensitive, and however, its absence does not rule out the presence of cancer spread. Raised levels however usually suggest a careful review to check for metastasis.
The normal range should be less than 0.25ng/ml in a non smoking adult. Values are lower in smokers.
It is sure that rising CEA values are function of the degree of spread of a cancer (liver, colon and others).
However, the proportionaility os not very direct. This means, CEA levels rise faster in some persons than others when they have cancer. This is due to instrinsic genetic make up.
Though an integral part in cancer patients follow up, it should not be solely relied upon.
Clinical examinations, ultrasounds, CT scans and Magnetic rasonance imaging (MRI), when necessary as detected by the case should be properly integrated into the patients follow up plan.
CEA for sure rises (>2.5ng/ml) when one has a spread of a cancer. However, staying constant or rising slowly, though rare in some patients, should not be relied upon solely. Repeated clinical examination with physician visits and other blood and radiologic tests should be used when necessary.
Regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, feel free asking further questions n case I missed addressing any of your specific concerns.
Dr Bain
CEA, sensitive, greater than 2.5ng/ml, other things
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
CEA for sure is one the very sensitive markers for cancer spread (metastasis) used in day to day clinical care. Its is sensitive, and however, its absence does not rule out the presence of cancer spread. Raised levels however usually suggest a careful review to check for metastasis.
The normal range should be less than 0.25ng/ml in a non smoking adult. Values are lower in smokers.
It is sure that rising CEA values are function of the degree of spread of a cancer (liver, colon and others).
However, the proportionaility os not very direct. This means, CEA levels rise faster in some persons than others when they have cancer. This is due to instrinsic genetic make up.
Though an integral part in cancer patients follow up, it should not be solely relied upon.
Clinical examinations, ultrasounds, CT scans and Magnetic rasonance imaging (MRI), when necessary as detected by the case should be properly integrated into the patients follow up plan.
CEA for sure rises (>2.5ng/ml) when one has a spread of a cancer. However, staying constant or rising slowly, though rare in some patients, should not be relied upon solely. Repeated clinical examination with physician visits and other blood and radiologic tests should be used when necessary.
Regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, feel free asking further questions n case I missed addressing any of your specific concerns.
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
You are right. However, more is taken into consideration
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
The ideal of course is removing all the cancer cells or tumor. However, it might be interesting and important to realize the risks that are related to this procedure. Surgery in such sensitive areas like liver and aorta, considering the past medical history of our patient needs a few more considerations, than in case it was someone with no previous cancer history.
Secondly, studies now reveal, under these circumstances, no real differences in outcomes when a patient with a past history of cancer, history of raised CEA is treated purely with chemotherapy and when associated with surgery.
A well followed up and coordinated therapy with chemotherapy would yield good results.
I think there is really weighing on the potential surgical complications, and current state of knowledge with regards to outcome of patients with spread cancer to structures like the liver and aorta, when treated with chemo alone and in association with surgery.
Thanks and kind regards. Do feel free asking further follow up questions in case of need.
Dr Bain
You are right. However, more is taken into consideration
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
The ideal of course is removing all the cancer cells or tumor. However, it might be interesting and important to realize the risks that are related to this procedure. Surgery in such sensitive areas like liver and aorta, considering the past medical history of our patient needs a few more considerations, than in case it was someone with no previous cancer history.
Secondly, studies now reveal, under these circumstances, no real differences in outcomes when a patient with a past history of cancer, history of raised CEA is treated purely with chemotherapy and when associated with surgery.
A well followed up and coordinated therapy with chemotherapy would yield good results.
I think there is really weighing on the potential surgical complications, and current state of knowledge with regards to outcome of patients with spread cancer to structures like the liver and aorta, when treated with chemo alone and in association with surgery.
Thanks and kind regards. Do feel free asking further follow up questions in case of need.
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What is the prognosis like for
This kind of situation with a liver met and 1 node , both however r small .?
Can the chemo (folfiri ) work or can the cells
Spread / grow still with it ?
Also , does this mean the xeloda he took after surgery failed to work ? However he did start the xeloda late ( after 11 weeks ) and don't think was following it very strictly
This kind of situation with a liver met and 1 node , both however r small .?
Can the chemo (folfiri ) work or can the cells
Spread / grow still with it ?
Also , does this mean the xeloda he took after surgery failed to work ? However he did start the xeloda late ( after 11 weeks ) and don't think was following it very strictly
Brief Answer:
Good prognosis, compliance, family support
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
You right starting chemo late makes outcomes more poorer.
However, the state at which she is found is really not that advanced in my opinion.
With a proper psychological support for her to take medication properly, the prognosis are of course good. The liver is attained only with one metastatic nodule and 16mm nodule is not that big.
I believe she has good survival and quality of chances in case she is supported to get compliant more and more to medication.
Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Good prognosis, compliance, family support
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
You right starting chemo late makes outcomes more poorer.
However, the state at which she is found is really not that advanced in my opinion.
With a proper psychological support for her to take medication properly, the prognosis are of course good. The liver is attained only with one metastatic nodule and 16mm nodule is not that big.
I believe she has good survival and quality of chances in case she is supported to get compliant more and more to medication.
Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So ud agree to continue chemo ? Is folfiri a chemo which will work ?
He was saying he wanted to stop the chemo as was feeling tierd after 1 session but we are persuading him to have it .
He was saying he wanted to stop the chemo as was feeling tierd after 1 session but we are persuading him to have it .
Brief Answer:
Cintinue, support, normal, outcomes good when compliant to therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
Thank God he is lucky to have you by him. You just have to continue to persuade him to continue
You tell him it is bur normal to feel wired after the very first few sessions. But as time goes on, he will get really better.
He should continue.
Regards as I wish him the best of health.
Dr Bain
Cintinue, support, normal, outcomes good when compliant to therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
Thank God he is lucky to have you by him. You just have to continue to persuade him to continue
You tell him it is bur normal to feel wired after the very first few sessions. But as time goes on, he will get really better.
He should continue.
Regards as I wish him the best of health.
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have really been making him see he needs it. .
But will
The chemo work for other spread ?
Also with 1 met and node it's not like survival is just like 12-23 months right ?
But will
The chemo work for other spread ?
Also with 1 met and node it's not like survival is just like 12-23 months right ?
Brief Answer:
Better survival rates for sure
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
The chemo for sure reduces spread.
Survival rates a far better than that. With present stage of spread, 23 months with proper compliance and far too small.
Regards,
Dr Bain
Better survival rates for sure
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
The chemo for sure reduces spread.
Survival rates a far better than that. With present stage of spread, 23 months with proper compliance and far too small.
Regards,
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry I didn't understand ur last answer
Only 23 months survival with 1 met and 1 node ?
Only 23 months survival with 1 met and 1 node ?
Brief Answer:
Sorr fr not being very clear.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I am sorry if I was not very clear.
I was saying survival is far greater than 23 months. With one metastatic site and a single node, with proper chemotherapy, average survival rates should range between 5 to 10 years. With proper medical care and compliance, even more than 10 years.
Kind regards,
DR Bain
Sorr fr not being very clear.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I am sorry if I was not very clear.
I was saying survival is far greater than 23 months. With one metastatic site and a single node, with proper chemotherapy, average survival rates should range between 5 to 10 years. With proper medical care and compliance, even more than 10 years.
Kind regards,
DR Bain
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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