Carcino Embryonic Antigen

What is Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test quantifies carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a glycoprotein normally high in fetuses and typically very low in healthy adults. Higher than normal levels may reflect tumor burden in several epithelial cancers, especially colorectal cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is also used as a tumor marker to establish a baseline before therapy, track changes during treatment, and surveil for recurrence after curative-intent therapy.

Why consider Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is recommended in below clinical conditions:

• Monitor treatment effectiveness
• Detect recurrence
• Prognostic information

Who should get this Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test?

• Individuals diagnosed with cancers known to elevate CEA, particularly colorectal cancer; it may also be used in pancreatic, gastric, lung, breast, ovarian, medullary thyroid, and other adenocarcinomas as part of management.
• Patients undergoing active treatment or on surveillance after curative therapy for eligible cancers, where serial CEA helps guide decisions.

More Information about Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion that is normally produced during fetal development and remains at very low levels in healthy adults. It is used as a tumor marker in adults most notably in colorectal cancer. This test is also used primarily for monitoring treatment response and recurrence rather than for screening or diagnosis. Elevated CEA can also occur in several other cancers and in noncancer conditions and smokers, so results must be interpreted in clinical context.

OTHER NAMES: CEA, CEA assay, CEA blood test, Carcinoembryonic antigen test