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Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
Test CodeCEA
Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB57
CPT Codes
82378
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Instructions
Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
Additional Information: When serial specimens are being evaluated, the same type of specimen should be used throughout the study.
Additional Information: When serial specimens are being evaluated, the same type of specimen should be used throughout the study.
Transport Container
Plastic vial
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Not established
Refrigerated (on gel): 24 hours
Refrigerated (off gel): 7 days
Frozen: >7 days
Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cysles of specimens.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, gross hemolysis
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Micro-particle Immunoassay (CMIA)
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Patients with Heterophile antibodies (HAMA) may exhibit falsely elevated or falsely depressed results.
Alinity CEA results should not be used interchangeably with other manufacturers' methods for CEA determinations.
Elevations may be observed in smokers as well as in patients who have non-malignant diseases. Clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures are needed.
Reference Range
<5.0 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein normally found in the tissue of a developing baby in the womb. The blood level of this protein disappears or becomes very low after birth.
Increased levels may be found in patients with colorectal or other malignancies including breast, gastrointestinal tract, and lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostatic tumors.
CEA levels are not useful in screening the general population for cancer.
CEA levels should not be used alone as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.
Increased levels may be found in patients with colorectal or other malignancies including breast, gastrointestinal tract, and lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostatic tumors.
CEA levels are not useful in screening the general population for cancer.
CEA levels should not be used alone as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Last Updated: July 12, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, July 12, 2023