Colon Cancer/cea count

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Expert: - 6/14/2006


Question
My father had his stage 3 colon cancer removed 15 months ago. They tested I beleave 9 lymph nodes and 1 test possitive. He started chemo for 13 weeks and then checked his cea level.I think it was about 9 , After chemo it went up to 12 .They changed his chemo and it went to 8 after 3 months rest it went up to 11. More chemo down to mabe 8 . Its been over a year of mostly chemo. Now he is on a chemo pill for 2 weeks. My question is what is a hight cea level. Is it 10, 20, 30 ,50 ? Thanks7gt2q

Answer
Actually CEA is best used in a relative way. With that I mean that changes are more important than absolute values. That means that I'm not entirely happy with your father's numbers. I would have prefered to see more distinct drops associated with his chemo.

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience with regards to this cancer.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions in these categories: Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Breast Cancer.

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I'm a medical doctor and a specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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