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Test Name:
Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Serum or Plasma
- SBMF No:
30181 - Performance Lab Name:
Automated Lab - Test Mnemonic:
CEA - ABN:
May be required – Medical Necessity - CPT Code:
82378 - LOINC Code:
2039-6 - Also Known As:
CEA
Tumor Marker, Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer Tumor Marker - Spec Type:
Serum - Spec Container:
Gold top (SST) or red top (serum) tube - Alt Spec Type:
Plasma - Alt Spec Container:
Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (lithium heparin) tube - Pref Vol:
1.6 mL - Min Vol:
0.8 mL - Fasting:
No - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture - Spec Process:
Serum sample tubes, clot 30 minutes
Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
Immediately transfer serum or plasma to separate plastic tube
Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube sample does not require transfer of serum to separate tube - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated - Spec Stability:
1 week refrigerated (2-8°C)
6 months frozen (-20°C) – Do not use frost-free units that undergo repeated freeze/thaw cycles - Spec Reject:
Heat-inactivated sample - Spec Remarks:
Preferred specimen is primary serum sample contained in properly centrifuged gel barrier tube (not necessary to transfer serum to separate tube) - Methodology:
Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA) - Use:
The main indication for CEA determinations is the follow-up and therapy management of colorectal carcinoma
Note: SBMF provides serial reporting for this test at no additional charge - Clinical Significance:
CEA is a monomeric glycoprotein (mol. wt. approx. 180,000 D) with a variable carbohydrate component of approx. 45-60%. CEA, like AFP, belongs to the group of carcinofetal antigens that are produced during the embryonic and fetal period. The CEA gene family consists of about 17 active genes in two subgroups. The first group contains CEA and the Non-specific Cross-reacting Antigens (NCA); the second group contains the Pregnancy-Specific Glycoproteins (PSG). CEA is mainly found in the fetal gastrointestinal tract and in fetal serum. It also occurs in slight quantities in intestinal, pancreatic and hepatic tissue of healthy adults. The formation of CEA is repressed after birth, and accordingly serum CEA values are nearly immeasurable in healthy adults. High CEA concentrations are frequently found in cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Slight to moderate CEA elevations (rarely above 10 ng/mL) occur in 20-50% of benign diseases of the intestine, the pancreas, the liver and the lungs (e.g., liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, emphysema). Smokers also have elevated CEA values. The main indication for CEA determinations is the follow-up and therapy management of colorectal carcinoma. CEA determinations are not recommended for cancer screening in the general population. CEA concentrations within the normal range do not exclude the possible presence of a malignant disease. - Reference Range:
Non-smokers: Less than or equal to 3.1 ng/mL
Smokers: Less than or equal to 6.2 ng/mL - Day Run:
Sun-Sat (daily) - Time Run:
As received - Time Reported:
4 hours - Test Type:
TUMOR MARKER
