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12/13/2007: "Carcinoembryonic Antigen"
Also known as CEA, this is the most common cancer tumor marker used by doctors for following the progression of colon, pancreatic, gastric, lung, and breast cancer. Using a blood sample they can check this protein for its levels and have an idea of the growth of tumors in the body. The lower the number the better. Normal is about 2.5 ng/ml for an adult non-smoker and 5.0 ng/ml in a smoker. Increased CEA numbers occur in the advanced stage of incurable cancer but are low in the early, curable stages. So the test is mostly used for prognosis and not for diagnostic purposes. Currently, one of the biggest uses for tumor markers is to monitor for cancer recurrence. If a tumor marker is elevated before treatment, low after treatment, and then begins to rise over time, then it is likely that the cancer is returning.
Tumor markers can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, especially in advanced cancers. If the marker level drops, the treatment is working. When I was first diagnosed and went though surgery, my CEA was not elevated. Therefore, my doctor did not want to use it as a measure and instead I had regular PET scans. Now that the cancer tumors are in my lungs, I have shown an elevated level. When I completed the pill form of chemotherapy (Xeloda) about 6 months ago, I had a CEA level of 48 ng/ml. After a couple months on this last cocktail, it had dropped to 28.
This past week, I have had the feeling that this new trial regiment I am on is starting to work. Though my symptoms haven’t improved much as I still go through my coughing fits, have trouble exerting myself and catching my breath. So call it wishful thinking or positive thinking, but something is making me believe. And to support my suspicions, today’s test shows my CEA marker dropping to 21.8.
This means that things are moving in the right direction and the chemo is having an effect. So we will keep the positive vibes going and celebrate the success. As always, thanks for your support and comments. You are my support group and I couldn’t ask for a better one.
