CEA

I am 65 yoa.  I am 11 years post op for removal of colon cancer and the completion of chemo.  I have been with the same oncologist since just AFTER my surgery. No CEA was done pre surgery.  I have continued to see my oncologist every 6 months or so.  About 2-3 years ago I noticed that my CEA had risen over a period of years from under 1.0 to 7.0 or so.  I am a nonsmoker.  That began a continuing (every 3-4 months) series of CEA tests, CAT scans, PET scans and X-rays.  To date nothing has been found,  I exhibit no symptoms and feel great.   My CEA has continued to rise in an accelerated fashion from 25.0 about 9 months ago to 59.0 as of 9/24/09. I have another full body CAT scan on 9/30.  Because I an diabetic, had a heart attack 2 years after the colon surgery and double bi-pass surgery 2 years later I have always been in close medical contact. 

Obviously I feel that something is behind me and catching up but I don't know what.  Anybody got any thoughts.

I'm having too much fun being retired to go back to that chemo therapy being sick routine.

pdbob,

With CEA levels that high, I am surprised that nothing has shown up on scans.  You seem to be doing everything you can catch a recurrence as early as possible.  The only thing I can think of is doing an ultrasound or an MRI although you may have trouble convincing your doctor to order it with negative CT and PET Scans.

Jack