Specimen

2 mL (1 mL min.) Serum from 1 SST. Ship refrigerated or frozen. Give brief clinical history.

Usage

Increased levels of CEA are found in patients with primary Colorectal carcinoma and other malignancies like Medullary thyroid carcinoma and Carcinoma of breast, GI tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate. Serial monitoring of CEA should begin prior to therapy to establish a baseline for evaluating possible recurrence. Levels generally return to normal within 1 to 4 months after removal of tumor. Smokers show a higher baseline level of CEA.