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CEA (CEA)

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EPIC Test Name

CEA

EPIC Code

LAB57

Specimen Requirements

plasma
Minimum Volume:0.5 mL
Collection:Collect using standard laboratory procedures
Transport:Room Temperature ASAP
Stability:Room Temperature: 7 days at 15-25 degrees C
Refrigerated: 14 days at 2-8 degrees
Frozen: 6 months at -15 to -25 degrees C
Container:LIT-GRN
Processing/Storage:Centrifuge pour off and refrigerate.
Rejection Causes:Hemolysis,
Insufficient Sample Volume, lipemic samples

Methods

Electrochemiluminescence

Turnaround Time

SpecimenTurnaround TimeFrequency
plasmaRoutine: 4 hours24/7

Reference Ranges

Electrochemiluminescence
All RangeUnit
<3.4 ng/mLng/mL

Clinical Indications

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is glycosylated protein (MW of about 180 kDa). CEA, like AFP, belongs to the group of carcino-fetal antigens that are produced during the embryonic and fetal period.
The biosynthesis of CEA is suppressed after birth with very low expression in normal adult tissues. High CEA concentrations are often seen in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, or other malignancies including medullary thyroid carcinoma and breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostatic cancers.
Measurement of CEA can be used in monitoring colorectal cancer and selected other cancers such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, in assessing the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments.
CEA test is NOT useful for screening the general population for undetected cancers and CEA concentrations within the normal range do not exclude the possible presence of a malignant disease. The main indication for CEA determinations is the follow‑up and therapy‑management of colorectal carcinoma.

Additional Information

The measured CEA values of a patient's sample using different assay methodologies can vary significantly due to lack of method standardization, therefore, CEA values determined on patient samples by using different testing methods CANNOT be compared with one another in results interpretations.
CEA tests should not be used to screen asymptomatic individuals for neoplastic disease.
A single result of CEA is less informative than a series of tests reflecting changes assessed over time, using the same assay method.

Performed

Lab
Chemistry - Downtown

Interpretative Information

• Substantial elevated CEA concentrations (>20 ng/mL) in the sample from a patient with compatible symptoms are strongly indicative of the presence of cancer and suggest metastasis.
• 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, unless residual tumor exists.
• For a patient with a history of cancer, Increases of CEA values over time suggest tumor recurrence.
• Slight to moderate CEA elevations can also observed in non‑malignant diseases of the intestine, the pancreas, the liver, and the lungs (i.e. liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease).
• Smoking can also cause to elevated CEA values.

CPT

82378

LOINC

2039-6

References

1. Hammarström S. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family: structures, suggested functions and expression in normal and malignant tissues. Semin Cancer Biol 1999;9:67-81.
2. Ballesta AM, Molina R, Filella X, et al. Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Staging and Follow-up of Patients with Solid Tumors. Tumor Biol. 1995;16:32-41.
3. Ruibal Morell A. CEA serum levels in nonneoplastic disease. Int J Biol Markers 1992;7:160-6.
4. Fukuda I, Yamakado M, Kiyose H. Influence of Smoking on Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Subjects Who Underwent Multiphasic Health Testing and Services. J Med Syst 1998;22:89-93.
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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

Contact Information

Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460
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