I need few clarification before I advice
1) what was the CEA level before 3.1?
2) usually CEA levels are measured every 3 monthly basis. So what was the reason to repeat the CEA with in one month duration?
3) does your father has any complaints?
Dr. Lokesh
Patient replied :
It was 2.5 1 year ago in January. His doctor wanted to repeat the test 1 month later because he said his levels were a little high. He does not have any complaints.
Hello, thankyou for your reply.
With all your information following are my advices
1) CEA levels are increasing from 2.5 to 3.1 and now 5.0. Though they are increasing but its in normal range
2) this level of CEA is not alarming, he doesn't have any complaints, also the CT scanning done in January 2014 is normal and he had only stage 1 colon cancer, please don't worry his cancer might not have come back
3) in my opinion repeat the CEA level with one month duration from last test, if it's still near 5.0 you can get the PET-CT Scan, if it's near 3.0 you just need to repeat the CEA level every 3 monthly basis
4) even if there is cancer recurrence, good number of options for cure are available for colon cancer recurrences
I wish good health for your father
Dr. Lokesh
Patient replied :
I have one more question. Could the rise in my dad's cea level be contributed to his bad upper respiratory infection at the time the second lab work was done?
Normal CEA levels are higher in smokers. In your father's case, Yes may be because of severe lung infection. Not to worry, repeat the CEA level by this month end when in good general condition.