CA 19-9 and CEA

[jackieb501]

Hi, All.
Today I had my CA 19-9 checked. Last spring it had clmbed to over 10,000, and then after doing IMRT it fell to the 400s in August and September. This month it was back up in the 700s. However, the CEA, which had been almost consistently over 5, even reaching over 8, was a little above 3. The doctor almost never mentions the CEA, but today he did, saying that it was hopeful to see that it had dropped. He said that with rising CA 19-9 there can be a couple of other factors besides tumor activity causing the increase. He said the movement of the CEA reflects tumor activity, and there aren't really other possibilities that make it increase or decrease (though the other doctor said smoking can cause a rise, but I don't smoke).
So, I'm left wondering, was today's news good news or bad news?

[susanmac]

BUMP

anybody. I also had my first CEA but had no baseline to compare it with. Mine was an 8. My doc told me it was another GI marker.....but not as useful as CA19-9. Since neither are specifically for Pancreas, they go with whichever they think is giving them the better read Would love to see if anyone has more info.
Thanks

[jackieb501]

Thank you Susan! It's so nice to get a reply on a support forum!

[susanmac]

you got it lady!

[johndoe60]

Hi,

In my case, my mother was not secreting significant amount of CA 19-9. (Though she is not confirmed as Lewis antigen negative.) Upon diagnosis, her CEA level was borderline elevated, and her CA 125 was slightly elevated (low 30s). After the first Folfirinox, those numbers dropped to normal.