What is this test?
CEA is a protein marker most commonly used for follow-up in colon cancer and some other established tumors.
Why might it be ordered?
- To track response to treatment and changes over time after treatment of certain tumors.
- As supplementary information to imaging and clinical data.
What sample is needed?
A healthcare professional collects a venous blood sample. Depending on the method, the laboratory uses serum or plasma.
How should you prepare?
Report whether you smoke, because smoking may increase the baseline value. Tell the laboratory about all medicines, hormone treatments, vitamins and supplements you take. Do not stop or change treatment unless your clinician tells you to. Follow any instructions about fasting and the time of collection.
How should you understand the result?
CEA may be elevated in smoking, inflammation, and benign diseases of the liver, lungs, or intestines. A trend across consecutive measurements made with a comparable method is often more informative than a single value.
Sources and editorial status
This patient-facing text is an editorial draft. It should be approved by a laboratory physician before official publication.