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The CEA test is used to diagnose and monitor certain types of cancer, but elevated levels can also be found in noncancerous conditions. The test measures carcinoembryonic antigen, a protein produced by certain cancerous tumors. It is not used as an indicator of cancer in the healthy population and may not always indicate the presence of cancer. Other blood tests and a biopsy may be needed to confirm cancer.
A CEA test is used to help diagnose certain types of cancer in combination with other tests, to monitor their treatment, and to detect the recurrence of these cancers. The test is a simple blood test done on blood drawn from your vein. Results can be returned in one to three days and can indicate the presence of cancer, although elevated levels are occasionally found in patients with some noncancerous conditions.
CEA is short for carcinoembryonic antigen, a protein that is produced in the fetus but is no longer detectable once the baby is born. The protein is mainly produced by certain cancerous tumors of the colon, rectum, intestine, breast, pancreas, ovary and lung. Some cancers don’t produce it at all, so a CEA test that shows nothing isn’t a guarantee that cancer isn’t present. Various other blood tests and, in some cases, a biopsy may be needed to confirm cancer.
While a CEA test is often used for diagnosis in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, it is not used as an indicator of cancer in the healthy population. It is usually ordered only in patients who are showing symptoms that may indicate the presence of cancer. It is also used to indicate successful cancer treatment in patients who have had surgery to remove a tumor and in those undergoing treatment, such as chemotherapy. In patients who have been successfully treated and are in remission, a CEA test may be routinely done to check for cancer recurrence.
Some noncancerous conditions can also cause an increase in CEA. These include liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, peptic ulcer disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Crohn’s disease. Smokers may also have increased CEA levels even if they don’t have cancer. It should also be noted that a CEA test that shows nothing may not necessarily indicate that no cancer is present, as some cancers do not produce the hormone.
Other blood tests that may be done at the same time as CEA testing in people suspected of cancer include other tests for tumor markers, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer. A biopsy is often needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant. This is a small procedure done under local or general anesthesia, depending on where the tumor is. A small number of cells or tissue is removed and examined for the presence of cancerous cells.
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