CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
Sample: Serum
Schedule: Daily
Units: ng/mL
Range: Up to 5.0 ng/mL
Remarks: Do not use CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) as a screening test for cancer: it may be negative even in some patients with metastatic colorectal and other carcinomas. CEA is elevated in smokers, in patients with inflammations infections,bowel disease, pancreatitis) and in some patients with noncolorectal neoplasms especially gastric, pancreatic, breast, and ovarian. The principal use of CEA is for monitor therapy of patients with various types of carcinomas and as a possible prognostic indicator.
