I am 50, female. Why are my CEA and AFP levels elevated?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a healthy 50-year-old female with no significant medical history except for a cholecystectomy and uterine fibroids in the past. I had general blood tests, including tumor markers, done. My CEA levels have come out to be in the smoker range, though I am a non-smoker, and AFP levels are at the upper limit of the lab range.

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You should get a positron emission tomography (PET scan) done. It is a specific test for cancer cells. After two weeks, you can repeat the carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein tests.

If there is a significant rise, it is alarming and needs further investigation. If reports are almost the same or less, there is nothing to worry about. Then, after a month, repeat the carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein tests.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It could also be normal, as it is still in a range. It needs regular monitoring. So you can repeat the tests after two weeks and then once a month.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.