Cea (carcino Embryonic Antigen)

The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) test is a blood test that measures the level of CEA, a protein found in many types of cells, but it is normally present in very low concentrations in the blood of healthy adults. However, elevated CEA levels can be an indicator of various conditions, including certain types of cancer.

• Cancer Detection: The CEA test is primarily used to help monitor certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. It can help in:

• Monitoring treatment for cancer (e.g., after surgery or chemotherapy).
• Detecting recurrence of cancer after treatment.

• Non-Cancer Uses: Though it’s most closely associated with cancer, elevated CEA levels may also be found in conditions that are not cancer-related, such as:
• Chronic inflammation (e.g., colitis).
• Liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis or hepatitis).
• Pulmonary diseases (e.g., emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD).
• Smoking: Smokers may have slightly higher CEA levels than non-smokers.

A CEA test is mostly used in people who have been diagnosed with cancers that often increase CEA levels. It's most commonly used in colorectal cancer. A provider may order a CEA test along with other tests to:

• Learn more about a cancer soon after it has been diagnosed. CEA levels can help predict the likelihood of recovery and/or the chance that cancer will come back after treatment.
• Check how well cancer treatment is working.
• See if cancer has returned after treatment.

CEA levels are particularly associated with the following cancers:

• Colorectal cancer (most commonly).
• Pancreatic cancer.
• Lung cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Gastric cancer.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Additionally, elevated CEA levels can occur in benign conditions like infections, inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease), or liver cirrhosis.

CEA is sometimes called a tumor marker or tumor antigen.  Tumor Markers are substances that some cancer cells make and shed into bodily fluids at times. Healthy cells also may make tumor markers in very low levels.