Carcinoembryonic Antigen CEA Test

Carcino embryonic antigen test is done to monitor patients of malignancy especially colorectal and gastrointestinal cancer.  
Serial monitoring of CEA is done to compare concentrations before and after treatment and also to establish a possible recurrence. Thus it can help assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
This test is not a effective tool to diagnose cancer

carcino embryonic antigen test measures  CEA a glycoprotein, in blood of the patients. Levels increase in patients with certain type of cancers 

The test analyzes a glycoprotein called CEA in the patients' blood. Patients with certain types of cancer experience higher levels.

Carcino embryonic antigen test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. 

The test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic band) is tightly tied to the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This facilitates the blood filling of the veins. The skin is cleansed before the needle insertion, and the blood sample is collected using a vacutainer.

The results of carcino embryonic antigen test when done over an interval help monitor condition of the patient and his response to treatment. However, a gross increase of CEA to >20 ng/mL in a patient with compatible symptoms are  suggestive of the presence of cancer. 
CEA levels fall after successful treatment to normal levels in 1-4 months
Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions like smoking, hepatic disease, trauma, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis,  COPD, Crohn's disease and hypothyroidism. Though the level in such cases is below 10 ng/ mL 
Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

CEA results may be elevated due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Smoking.
• Liver disease.
• Trauma.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Pancreatitis.
• Cirrhosis.
• COPD.
• Crohn's disease.

Hypothyroidism

A person who has received a cancer diagnosis might require this test. The doctor performs the test on the patient before starting the therapy and after that. This process will help the doctor assess the efficacy of the patient's treatment. After the therapy is over, the patient might also have a CEA test. The test can assist in determining whether cancer has returned or not.

This test can be taken:

• After the diagnosis to help assist the doctor in choosing the best course of action.
• During treatment to help assess the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or other treatments.
• Following therapy to determine if cancer has returned.

Nothing needs to be done in advance. However, a person must inform the physician if he/she:

• Smoke.
• Pregnant.

Take aspirin or other medications that could cause bleeding

1. CEA test
2. Carcinoembryonic Antigen
3. Tumor marker

It is frequently used in conjunction with other immunohistochemical tests, such as those for BerEp4, WT1, and calretinin. This is because even monoclonal antibodies to CEA have some degree of cross-reactivity and can occasionally produce false positive results.

The CEA test measures the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein that can be elevated in certain cancers as well as some non-cancerous conditions.  

The carcinoembryonic antigen test is mainly used to monitor cancer treatment, detect recurrence, and assess prognosis, rather than for screening or diagnosing cancer. 

The CEA test, or the CEA blood test, is essential for monitoring cancer treatment effectiveness, detecting recurrence, estimating prognosis, and guiding treatment plans. It helps healthcare providers assess the patient's response to therapy and make informed decisions. 

A CEA test is not age-specific and is performed depending on the patient's medical condition, particularly if they have been diagnosed with cancer that can elevate CEA levels. There is no specific age limit for undergoing the CEA blood test. 

If your CEA test or CEA blood test results are elevated, your healthcare provider will assess your medical history and other test results to determine the cause.  

Additional tests, like imaging studies or biopsies, may be ordered to confirm the underlying reason for the increased CEA levels. 

There is no specific CEA level that definitively confirms cancer. Although elevated levels can indicate the presence of cancer, they may also result due to some non-cancerous conditions. A CEA level above 2.5 ng/mL (or up to 5.0 ng/mL in smokers) may prompt further investigation. 

If a CEA test shows high levels, it may indicate the presence, spread, or recurrence of cancer. However, high levels can also be due to other health conditions. Your healthcare provider will interpret the CEA blood test results in the context of your overall health. 

There is no direct evidence that stress alone raises CEA levels. However, stress can exacerbate conditions that may elevate CEA, such as inflammatory bowel diseases or other chronic conditions.

Fatty liver disease itself is not typically associated with elevated CEA levels. However, liver diseases that cause inflammation or scarring can lead to increased CEA levels.

CEA levels are often elevated in certain types of cancers, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer. 

The CEA test is not used for screening or detecting early cancer because it is not specific enough. Many other conditions can cause elevated CEA levels, and not all cancers produce high levels of CEA. 

Yes, CEA levels can be high without cancer. Conditions such as infections, liver disease, ulcers, breast cysts, lung problems, and inflammatory bowel diseases can also cause elevated CEA levels. 

The benefits of a CEA test, or the CEA blood test, include monitoring cancer treatment effectiveness, detecting recurrence, estimating prognosis, guiding treatment decisions, and providing a baseline measurement for future comparisons.

Fasting is not required before taking the CEA test. Generally, no special preparation is required, although smokers may be advised to stop smoking for a brief period of time before taking the CEA blood test. 

Yes, certain diagnostic centers, such as Metropolis Healthcare, provide home sample collection services for the CEA test, ensuring convenience and comfort for patients without compromising on testing accuracy. 

The CEA test results are ready after 8 hours, though this can vary based on when the sample is collected and processed. In most cases, it can differ based on the lab and their processing times.