What is a normal CEA tumor marker?

Tumor marker, CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein found in many types of cells but associated with tumors and the developing fetus. CEA is tested in blood. The normal range is <2.5 ng/ml in an adult non-smoker and <5.0 ng/ml in a smoker. The most common cancers that elevate CEA are in the colon and rectum.

Then, what is considered a high CEA level?

Levels of CEA higher than 20 ng/mL are considered very high. If you have CEA levels this high and you also have symptoms of cancer, it strongly suggests the cancer has not been removed successfully after treatment. It may also suggest that the cancer has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of your body.

Secondly, what is the normal range for cancer markers? Normal range: < 2.5 ng/ml. Normal range may vary somewhat depending on the brand of assay used. Levels > 10 ng/ml suggest extensive disease and levels > 20 ng/ml suggest metastatic disease.

Besides, can CEA be high without cancer?

Elevations in CEA and CA 19-9 levels may occur in patients without cancer. For example, elevated CEA levels may be observed in smokers as well as patients with a variety of non-malignant diseases. Therefore, levels, regardless of their values cannot be used as a diagnostic test for cancer.

What is CEA level?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein normally found in very low levels in the blood of adults. The CEA blood level may be increased in certain types of cancer and non-cancerous (benign) conditions. A CEA test is most commonly used for colorectal cancer.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Is CEA test accurate?

Doctors don't use the CEA test to make a first-time diagnosis of cancer. This test isn't an accurate way to screen for it because many other diseases can cause the levels of this protein to rise.

Is CEA a reliable tumor marker?

There is not a known tumor marker for all types of cancer. Also, tumor markers are not raised in all cases of the cancers they are used for, so they are not helpful for all patients. For example, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker used in colon cancer, yet only 70-80% of colon cancers make CEA.

Can alcohol affect CEA levels?

It is well established that alcohol consumption is related to the development of alcoholic liver disease. A positive correlation exists between serum CEA levels, liver metastasis, and alcohol consumption in CRC patients, although the mechanism is not understood.

What can cause a rise in CEA?

The most frequent cancer which causes an increased CEA is cancer of the colon and rectum. Benign conditions which can elevate CEA include smoking, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors in the same organs in which an elevated CEA indicates cancer.

How often should CEA test be done?

CEA test. This is a blood test that detects the levels of CEA protein. High levels of CEA may indicate that a cancer has spread to other parts of the body. CEA testing is recommended every three to six months for five years.

Can CEA levels fluctuate?

The rate of positive serum CEA levels increases in parallel to the clinical stage of colorectal cancer. However, serum CEA levels fluctuate over time even in the same individuals. In some patients, the serum CEA level becomes positive in the absence of recurrence.

What is a normal tumor marker for colon cancer?

Tumor markers: Colorectal cancer cells sometimes make substances called tumor markers that can be found in the blood. The most common tumor markers for colorectal cancer are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9.

What kind of cancer does CEA detect?

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test may be used: To monitor the treatment of people diagnosed with colon cancer. It may also be used as a marker for medullary thyroid cancer and cancers of the rectum, lung, breast, liver, pancreas, stomach, and ovaries.

How accurate are cancer markers?

There has been no evidence to prove that tumor markers are 100 percent reliable for determining the presence or absence of cancer. Many circumstances, such as other health issues or disease, can contribute to raised tumor marker levels. Blood or urine tests are used to measure tumor marker levels in the body.

What is a high CEA level for pancreatic cancer?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a high–molecular weight glycoprotein found normally in fetal tissues. The reference range is 2.5 mg/mL or less. CEA has commonly been used as a tumor marker in other gastrointestinal malignancies, but only 40-45% of patients with pancreatic carcinoma have elevated CEA levels.

Does CEA go up during chemo?

In general a rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level means tumor progression. An initial rise of CEA during chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients may therefore not always indicate progression of disease but may be a transient CEA surge in patients responding to chemotherapy.

Can CEA be false positive?

False Positives

There are also many benign (non-cancerous) and inflammatory conditions that can increase CEA leading to false positive results. Benign conditions associated with an increase in CEA levels include: Smoking. COPD.

Can you have cancer with a normal CEA?

Normal results are 3.0 ng/mL or lower. But having a normal CEA level doesn't rule out cancer. Some people with cancer have a normal CEA. And higher levels of CEA don't mean you have cancer.

What is CEA and CA 125 test?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the tumour marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in combination with cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) to differentiate between malignant ovarian and malignant non-ovarian disease. Among a total of 640 patients, 355 had a malignant diagnosis.

What are cancer markers in blood tests?

Tumor markers are chemicals made by tumor cells that can be detected in your blood. But tumor markers are also produced by some normal cells in your body, and levels may be significantly elevated in noncancerous conditions. This limits the potential for tumor marker tests to help in diagnosing cancer.

What does CA 125 blood test detect?

A CA 125 test measures the amount of the protein CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) in your blood. A CA 125 test may be used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. In some cases, a CA 125 test may be used to look for early signs of ovarian cancer in people with a very high risk of the disease.

Does CEA blood test require fasting?

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Blood Test

No fasting required. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the amount of this protein that can occur in the blood of certain people with certain types of cancers, particularly large intestine cancer (colon and rectal cancer).