The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) test is a valuable tool in cancer diagnostics, providing insights into specific types of cancers and monitoring treatment effectiveness. This test determines a particular blood glycoprotein called CEA, which is a protein with plenty of sugars added to it by either normal or cancerous cells. It was first discovered by scientists in 1968 when they isolated elements of liver metastasized and colorectal cancer from the foetus’s digestive tract. All of us are born with high levels of this protein, however, CEA reduces with age and in certain medical conditions like cancer, blood CEA levels elevate.
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What Is The CEA Test?
CEA is at times called tumour marker or tumour antigen. Tumour markers are elements that some cancer cells produce and sometimes shed into bodily fluids. Healthy cells also make tumour markers but at a very low level. The CEA test determines the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen in the blood. Carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein produced during foetal development, but its presence in the blood decreases typically or becomes undetectable in adults. Elevated levels of CEA in the blood may indicate the presence of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. However, it's important to note that high CEA levels can also be linked to non-cancerous conditions.
Who Needs The CEA Test?
The CEA test is not a routine screening test for everyone. Instead, it is typically recommended for individuals with a history of colorectal cancer or other cancers, especially if they are being monitored for recurrence. The test may also be ordered for individuals with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer, like sudden weight loss, changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain.
Your healthcare provider may suggest a CEA test to:
- Monitor if cancer has metastasized to other regions of the body
- Determine the progression of treatment
You may have the test:
- Soon after diagnosis to help determine the treatment schedule
- During cancer treatment, check how you are responding to chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation
- Post-cancer treatment to evaluate if the cancer has relapsed
After diagnosis and before treatment or surgery, your healthcare provider recommends this test every one to three months during treatment time. However, a high CEA level four to six weeks after the beginning of therapy doesn’t indicate treatment failure or relapse.
In the remission phase, patients need regular CEA tests to look out for possible recurrence, and your healthcare provider determines the frequency of testing.
Also Read: CA19-9 Tumour Biomarker Test: What Is It? Purpose, Procedure, and Results
Procedure:
Generally, a CEA test is a blood work where healthcare professionals collect a sample of blood from your veins. It is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
In very rare cases, your provider may test fluid from your:
- Abdominal wall (peritoneal fluid)
- Chest (pleural fluid)
- Spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF)
Your healthcare provider collects a small fluid with a needle or syringe. The needle or syringe is inserted into your chest or lower back.
Preparation
In most cases, no special preparation is required before a CEA marker test. However, it's important to discuss with your healthcare provider about medications or supplements you are taking, as certain medications can affect CEA levels.
Interpretation of Results
Normal Levels
CEA levels are measured in nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL). Normal CEA levels can vary, but the reference range is 0-2.9 ng/mL in non-smokers and below 5.0 ng/mL in smokers. Elevated CEA levels do not definitively diagnose cancer; they indicate a need for further investigation.
The different laboratories may have mildly different ranges, and doctors may consider higher thresholds based on the circumstances.
Low CEA levels could suggest a tumour is small and hasn’t spread to other body parts. But certain types of cancer don’t cast as much CEA, thus your healthcare provider may suggest doing MRI imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
High CEA levels could suggest a tumour is large or has spread to other vital organs of your body.
Different labs may have slightly different reference ranges, and clinicians may consider higher thresholds depending on the individual circumstances.
Side Effects
As with any blood test, you may have a slight pain or bruising at sight where the needle was inserted.
If samples of CSF or abdominal fluid were taken, you may have side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and light-headedness, which will settle soon.
Disclaimer:
The content provided here is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance does not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the blog.
