CEA, CSF

Test Code
CSFCEA (NI)


Quest Code
17420


CPT Codes
82378

Preferred Specimen
3 mL CSF in sterile transport tube


Minimum Volume
2 mL


Transport Container
Sterile transport tube


Transport Temperature
Frozen


Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 28 days
Frozen: 28 days


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis


Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
2 days


Reference Range
<2.0 ng/mL


Clinical Significance
CEA is a tumor marker that is useful to monitor patients with persistent, or for recurrent or metastatic colonic carcinoma. As many as 30% of patients with breast, lung, hepatocellular, and pancreatic carcinoma also have elevated concentrations of CEA. Individuals who smoke may have a slightly higher baseline than non-smokers.


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-Chantilly VA
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151-2228



Last Updated: March 19, 2025


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.