Carcinoembryonic antigen

What is a carcinoembryonic antigen test (CEA)? A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is a blood test used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers. The CEA test is used especially for cancers of the large intestine and rectum. Your doctor can also use the test results to help determine if a cancer treatment is working. An antigen is a substance that’s made by cancerous tumor cells. Sometimes antigens are released into the bloodstream. The CEA test measures the amount of CEA in the blood. A high amount of CEA in your body after a cancer treatment or surgery suggests the cancer is not gone. It may also mean that the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. Smoking can increase the amount of CEA in your body even in the absence of cancer. You should tell your doctor if you smoke. The CEA test has different uses. Your doctor can order a CEA test if your symptoms suggest you might have cancer. A CEA test can help your doctor find out if a cancer treatment is working. These treatments may have included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of all three. Your doctor might also use the CEA test to help determine if a cancer has come back, or recurred, after finishing treatment. A CEA test is most useful after a diagnosis of a type of cancer that’s known to produce CEA. Not all cancers produce CEA. Increased levels of CEA may be found in the following cancers: • • • breast cancer • cancer of the gastrointestinal tract • • • • • The CEA test isn’t usef...

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein that is made by a fetus during pregnancy, then drops to very low levels under normal conditions shortly after birth. Since it is produced in large amounts by some tumors, it can be used to monitor cancer treatment. Purpose of the Test CEA is a type of tumor marker used to monitor cancer. Instead, healthcare providers will look at CEA levels over time, along with imaging studies and other tests, to help plan and monitor cancer treatment. When levels of CEA decrease, it may indicate that a cancer is responding to treatment. When CEA levels increase, it may suggest a recurrence, progression, or spread (metastasis) of the cancer. Meaning of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) CEA is a protein produced by normal cells that is overexpressed, or produced in much higher amounts, in some cancers known as adenocarcinomas. CEA may be found in blood, urine, stool, and other bodily fluids, as well as in a tumor itself. It is more likely to be produced by slow-growing, • To monitor cancer treatment: Monitoring serial CEA levels can help track the effectiveness of treatment. If CEA levels are decreasing, it usually means a tumor is responding to treatment. If levels are increasing, it may mean the tumor is progressing. CEA is often ordered as a baseline test at the beginning of cancer treatment for this reason. • To monitor for recurrence of cancer: If CEA levels were normal and are increasing, it may mean that a tumor has recurred. A major use of t...

Doctors don’t always see obvious signs of People with some types of cancers have higher than normal levels of this substance. This test helps your doctor find out if yours has grown and whether your treatment has worked. What Can the Test Do? CEA is a type of Your doctor can use CEA as a “marker” to learn more about your The test can often help predict whether the cancer is growing or spreading to other parts of your body. It can also help tell how well your treatment has worked and predict your outlook. Your doctor might give you a CEA test if you're diagnosed with one of these cancers: • • • • • Ovarian • Pancreatic • • When Is the Test Done? 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 This test can help your doctor plan and monitor your treatment once you know you have cancer. You might get the test: • After your diagnosis to help your doctor find the right treatment • During treatment to see how well • After treatment to help find out whether the cancer has come back How Do I Prepare? You don't need to do anything ahead of time. Tell your doctor if you: • Smoke • Are • Take Also let your doctor know about any drugs you take. Include vitamins, How Is It Done? The test takes a sample of your The doctor will place a needle into a vein in your arm to draw out the blood. You might feel a slight pinch or sting when the needle goes in. Sometim...

Structure of extracellular domains of CEACAM based on Identifiers Symbol CEACAM Carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA) describes a set of highly-related CEA are CD66 History [ ] CEA was first identified in 1965 by Diagnostic significance [ ] The CEA blood test is not reliable for diagnosing cancer or as a screening test for early detection of cancer. CEA elevation is known to be affected by multiple factors. It varies inversely with tumor grade; well-differentiated tumors secrete more CEA. CEA is elevated more in tumors with lymph node and distant metastasis than in organ-confined tumors and, thus, varies directly with tumor stage. Left-sided tumors generally tend to have higher CEA levels than right-sided tumors. [ citation needed] Tumors causing bowel obstruction produce higher CEA levels. [ citation needed] Aneuploid tumors produce more CEA than diploid tumors. [ citation needed] Liver dysfunction increases CEA levels as the liver is the primary site of CEA metabolism. Antibodies [ ] An anti-CEA antibody is an [ citation needed] but they are particularly associated with the in vitro and in vivo with promising results Genetics [ ] CEA and related In humans, the carcinoembryonic antigen family consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed. See also [ ] • References [ ] • Boehm MK, Perkins SJ (June 2000). FEBS Letters. 475 (1): 11–6. • Gan N, Jia L, Zheng L (2011-10-28). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 12 (11): 7410–23. • Duffy MJ (April 2001). Clinical Ch...