Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) details
What Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) shows
CEA is a tumor marker used mainly to monitor treatment response and watch for recurrence in colorectal cancer, and sometimes other cancers including certain lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. It isn't accurate enough to screen for cancer in people without a diagnosis, since it can be normal even with cancer present, and can also be mildly elevated by smoking and various non-cancerous conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, or pancreatitis. Its main clinical value is tracking levels over time in someone with a known cancer diagnosis — a rising trend after treatment can be an early signal of recurrence, sometimes appearing before it's visible on imaging.
Tests that include Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is a protein that may be present at higher levels in the blood of individuals with certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer. It is mainly used to monitor cancer treatment effectiveness and detect recurrence. Elevated levels can also be seen in other cancers (like lung or breast) and some non-cancerous conditions such as inflammation or smoking.
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) A tumor marker used mainly to monitor colorectal cancer treatment and detect recurrence, and sometimes other cancers.
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is a protein that may be present at higher levels in the blood of individuals with certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer. It is mainly used to monitor cancer treatment effectiveness and detect recurrence. Elevated levels can also be seen in other cancers (like lung or breast) and some non-cancerous conditions such as inflammation or smoking.
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) A tumor marker used mainly to monitor colorectal cancer treatment and detect recurrence, and sometimes other cancers.
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