CEA Biomarker

CEA stands for carcinoembryonic antigen.

CEA Biomarker

CEA stands for carcinoembryonic antigen.

CEA is made by cells in the gastrointestinal tract and released into the blood. Generally, CEA is exclusively produced during embryonic development and healthy adults have relatively low levels of CEA.However, CRC cells can also produce CEA, making it a biomarker for CRC.

Your CEA level is considered a prognostic biomarker and predictive biomarker. All colorectal cancer patients should receive testing for CEA levels, which is done through a blood test.

CEA is made by cells in the gastrointestinal tract and released into the blood. Generally, CEA is exclusively produced during embryonic development and healthy adults have relatively low levels of CEA.However, CRC cells can also produce CEA, making it a biomarker for CRC.

Your CEA level is considered a prognostic biomarker and predictive biomarker. All colorectal cancer patients should receive testing for CEA levels, which is done through a blood test.

What does my CEA level mean?

It is important to note that a high CEA level does not immediately indicate colorectal cancer and a low CEA level does not immediately rule out colorectal cancer.

High CEA levels can also be found in some benign (non-cancerous) digestive system diseases, cigarette smokers, or other types of cancer. CEA levels are not always increased in colorectal cancer. More than 10% of colorectal cancer patients will have a normal CEA level.

CEA levels are reported as a number, most often as the amount of CEA found in a specific amount of blood. Generally, normal CEA levels are between 0 and 2.9 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). However, this range may vary depending on laboratory/clinician or other individual circumstances.

CEA levels above the normal range will either be considered low or high.

  • Low CEA levels may indicate a small tumor or that the tumor is not producing CEA. Low CEA levels alone are not enough to diagnose. A low CEA level may prompt your doctor to order additional tests, such as imaging by MRI.
  • High CEA levels could indicate a large tumor or metastatic disease. CEA levels tend to increase with cancer stage. High CEA levels alone are not enough to diagnose, stage, or determine metastasis. High levels of CEA are associated with a poorer prognosis.

What does my CEA level mean?

It is important to note that a high CEA level does not immediately indicate colorectal cancer and a low CEA level does not immediately rule out colorectal cancer.

High CEA levels can also be found in some benign (non-cancerous) digestive system diseases, cigarette smokers, or other types of cancer. CEA levels are not always increased in colorectal cancer. More than 10% of colorectal cancer patients will have a normal CEA level.

CEA levels are reported as a number, most often as the amount of CEA found in a specific amount of blood. Generally, normal CEA levels are between 0 and 2.9 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). However, this range may vary depending on laboratory/clinician or other individual circumstances.

CEA levels above the normal range will either be considered low or high.

  • Low CEA levels may indicate a small tumor or that the tumor is not producing CEA. Low CEA levels alone are not enough to diagnose. A low CEA level may prompt your doctor to order additional tests, such as imaging by MRI.
  • High CEA levels could indicate a large tumor or metastatic disease. CEA levels tend to increase with cancer stage. High CEA levels alone are not enough to diagnose, stage, or determine metastasis. High levels of CEA are associated with a poorer prognosis.

医学评论

Al B. Benson III, MD

Lurie Cancer Center – Northwestern

Date reviewed: October 11, 2023