Certain types of cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy for breast cancer, may actually cause the CEA level to go up. This elevation does not accurately reflect the state of the disease.
The CEA test is not a screening test for cancer. It is not useful for detecting the presence of cancer. Many cancers do not produce an increased CEA level.
CEA levels may be one of the criteria for determining whether the patient will benefit from more expensive studies, such as CT scan or MRI.
The CEA test is most commonly ordered when a patient has a cancer of the gastrointestinal system.
Some noncancerous diseases, such as hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and obstructive pulmonary disease, may cause an elevated CEA level.
In general, a higher CEA level predicts a more severe disease, one that is less likely to be curable.
A rising CEA level may be the first sign of cancer return, and may show up months before other studies or patient symptoms would raise concern.
Elevated CEA levels can also be seen in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, liver disease, and respiratory infections. Additionally, factors like smoking can also lead to increased CEA levels.
Determination of the CEA level is a laboratory blood test. Obtaining a specimen of blood for the study takes only a few minutes. CEA testing should be covered by most insurance plans.
CEA = carcinoma embryonic antigen
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) lab values measure the level of CEA protein in the blood, which can be an indicator of certain types of cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. Normal CEA levels are typically less than 5 ng/mL in non-smokers and slightly higher in smokers. Elevated CEA levels may suggest the presence of cancer or other conditions, but they are not definitive for diagnosis and require further investigation. It is important to interpret CEA levels in conjunction with clinical findings and other diagnostic tests.
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