Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

Diagnostic Use

CEA is a protein expressed by some cancer cells. CEA may be measured as a tumour marker for these malignancies.

CEA is most commonly associated with colorectal carcinoma, although it may also be expressed by tumours elsewhere in the body, such as cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, stomach and ovaries.

CEA should not be used as a screening test for the primary diagnosis of tumours.

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

CEA

Synonyms

CEA

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

6

No of Samples Required

1

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Interpretation

CEA lacks sensitivity and specificity for any cancer and therefore it should not be used for screening or diagnostic purposes.  However, CEA may be monitored in a patient with a known CEA-secreting tumour to assess for both response to treatment and recurrence or progression of known disease.

Reference Intervals

0 -5 ug/L

Test Method

Paramagnetic particle, chemiluminescent immunoassay on the Beckman Coulter DxI 800

Non-Funded Test Cost

$26.56 (Exclusive of GST)

Contact Information

Enquiry Form