Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, carcino-fetal antigen) is a tumor marker, a compound found in the blood of cancer patients. CEA antigen mainly indicates the development of gastrointestinal neoplasms, especially colorectal cancer, but not only. Check if any other cancers are suspected, the CEA antigen concentration test is performed, what are the standards for this test and how to interpret its results.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, carcino-fetal antigen)is a neoplastic marker (colloquially a cancer detector). It is a chemical compound that is absent or in small amounts in the body of a he althy person. Its level increases only when cancer develops ( although in some cases also in the course of other diseases). Initially, it was thought that the carcinoembryonic antigen was characteristic only of colorectal cancer, but later it turned out that it may suggest the development of other cancers as well.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, carcino-fetal antigen) - indications for the test

The indication for CEA antigen concentration determination is a suspicion:

  • colorectal cancer
  • anal cancer
  • breast cancer
  • stomach cancer
  • liver cancer
  • pancreatic and biliary cancer
  • lung cancer
  • thyroid cancer

It should be noted that the CEA antigen may indicate only some cancers (it is especially useful in the case of colorectal cancer).

If neoplasms with a different localization are suspected, other neoplastic markers may be used. For example, when breast cancer is suspected, a marker called CA 15-3 is measured and a marker called CA 125 is measured for ovarian cancer.

In addition, carcinoembryonic antigen levels are measured during cancer treatment to see if any treatment (such as chemotherapy) is working as desired. In addition, the test may answer the question of whether there is metastasis. CEA antigen is considered to be a universal determinant of the occurrence of metastases, regardless of the organ of the disease.

The determination of the CEA antigen concentration is also performed after the completion of neoplastic treatment (after chemotherapy or tumor resection), in order to monitor the effects of the therapy (checking whether the neoplastichas been completely removed) and possible recurrence of the tumor is detected.

CEA - what is the test?

Blood is collected to determine CEA concentration. Sometimes fluid is also drawn from the peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity, or cerebrospinal fluid.

Important

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, carcino-fetal antigen) - norm ng / ml

In he althy, non-smoking people, the CEA concentration is below 5.0 ng / ml, in smokers it is higher, but usually it does not exceed 10 ng / ml .¹

Cancer-fetal antigen - interpretation of test results

In previously he althy peoplean increase in CEA concentrationsuggests the development of one of the above-mentioned neoplasms (high levels are very common in colorectal cancer patients). It should be noted thatelevated levels ofof this antigen usually indicate advanced tumor development. It is rarely associated with the presence of small changes or early metastases. This means that in people with minor or early cancer lesions, CEA levels may be slightly elevated or even normal. This is why measuring the level of CEA antigen is not a screening test, i.e. one that aims to detect disease at an early stage of its development, when no symptoms are present yet.

However, in people who have undergone surgical removal of the tumor, an increase in CEA concentration may indicate a relapse of the tumor, with the CEA level should return to normal within 4 months after radical surgery.

The increase in CEA level is also noted in the case of:

  • peptic ulcer disease
  • hepatitis
  • cirrhosis of the liver
  • pancreatitis
  • enteritis (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
  • chronic lung diseases
  • degeneration of the mammary glands
  • kidney failure

Increase in CEA concentration is also observed during pregnancy.

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Research