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HelpTest Code CEA Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum
Reporting Name
Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), SUseful For
Monitoring colorectal cancer and selected other cancers such as medullary thyroid carcinoma
May be useful in assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment
This test is not useful for screening the general population for undetected cancers.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Reference Values
Nonsmokers: ≤3.0 ng/mL
Some smokers may have elevated CEA, usually <5.0 ng/mL.
Serum markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82378
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEA | Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), S | 83085-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEA | Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), S | 83085-1 |
Clinical Information
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein normally found in embryonic entodermal epithelium.
Increased levels may be found in patients with primary colorectal cancer or other malignancies including medullary thyroid carcinoma and breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostatic cancers.
Serial monitoring of CEA should begin prior to therapy to verify post therapy decrease in concentration and to establish a baseline for evaluating possible recurrence. Levels generally return to normal within 1 to 4 months after removal of cancerous tissue.
Interpretation
Grossly elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations (>20 ng/mL) in a patient with compatible symptoms are strongly suggestive of the presence of cancer and suggest metastasis.
Most healthy subjects (97%) have values less than or equal to 3.0 ng/mL.
After removal of a colorectal tumor, the serum CEA concentration should return to normal by 6 weeks, unless there is residual tumor.
Increases in test values over time in a patient with a history of cancer suggest tumor recurrence.
Cautions
The concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum should not be used to screen asymptomatic individuals for neoplastic disease, and the diagnostic efficacy of CEA measurements in high-risk groups has not been established.
Single values of CEA are less informative than changes assessed over time.
CEA values are method-dependent; therefore, the same method should be used to serially monitor patients.
Do not interpret serum CEA levels as absolute evidence of the presence or the absence of malignant disease. Use serum CEA in conjunction with information from the clinical evaluation of the patient and other diagnostic procedures.
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating antianimal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Clinical Reference
1. Sturgeon C: Tumor markers. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:436-478
2. Locker, GY, Hamilton S, Harris J, et al: ASCO 2006 update of recommendations for the use of tumor markers in gastrointestinal cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24:5313-5327
3. Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Macdonald JS, et al: An evaluation of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test for monitoring patients with resected colon cancer. JAMA. 1993;270:943-947
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.