Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
173 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Conditions Elevate The Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels In Breast Cancer Patient?

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in Oct 2013. I am BRCA2+ and had a bilateral mastectomy in Dec 2013 followed by BSO in May 2014. My Oncologist runs markers every 3 months, monitoring me for BRCA related issues more than my breast cancer. My CEA rate increased from 2.9 to 3.9 in the last 3 months. I did not have a cold at the time of the last blood draw. We will wait and run the CEA again in 3 months. All other markers were stable, no increase. What other conditions could cause the increase?
posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015
Twitter Sun, 12 Apr 2020 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 13 Apr 2020 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear ma'am, Hi.

Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein normally found in very low levels in the blood of adults.

The CEA blood level may be increased in certain types of cancer and non-cancerous (benign) conditions.

Apart from colorectal cancer, its level is increased in other cancers including that of breast, lung, pancreas, stomach, liver, and ovaries.

Non-cancerous conditions include peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, pancreatitis or cholecystitis and cigarette smoking.


After treatment, a return to a normal CEA level that had been elevated usually means that the cancer has responded to treatment.

A CEA level that rises steadily after treatment is complete often means that the cancer has come back (recurred).

Hope I have answered your query.
Take care and give your valuable feedback.
I find this answer helpful

3 Doctors agree with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
What Conditions Elevate The Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels In Breast Cancer Patient?

Dear ma am, Hi. Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein normally found in very low levels in the blood of adults. The CEA blood level may be increased in certain types of cancer and non-cancerous (benign) conditions. Apart from colorectal cancer, its level is increased in other cancers including that of breast, lung, pancreas, stomach, liver, and ovaries. Non-cancerous conditions include peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, pancreatitis or cholecystitis and cigarette smoking. After treatment, a return to a normal CEA level that had been elevated usually means that the cancer has responded to treatment. A CEA level that rises steadily after treatment is complete often means that the cancer has come back (recurred). Hope I have answered your query. Take care and give your valuable feedback.