Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

CEA. - NCMC

In-patient: 1 mL plasma from Green top (Lithium Heparin)
Out-patient: 1 mL serum from SST

0.5 mL
Note: For neonate requirements see Neonate Minimum Blood Volumes

1 mL serum from SST or Red Top

Temperature	Time
Ambient	5 days
Refrigerated	5 days
Frozen	3 months

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Same day

Age
0 – 7 days	8.1 – 62.0 mIU/mL
7 days – 2 years	< 4.7 mIU/mL
2 years – 19 years	< 2.6 mIU/mL
19 years – 40 years	< 3.8 mIU/mL
40 years – 150 years	< 5.0 mIU/mL

(Smoking may increase values.)

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a highly glycosylated molecule with a molecular weight of approximately 180 kDa. CEA, like AFP, belongs to the group of carcinofetal antigens that are produced during the embryonic and fetal period. CEA has been postulated to play a role in a number of biological processes including cell adhesion, immunity and apoptosis. Slight to moderate CEA elevations can also occur in non-malignant diseases of the intestine, the pancreas, the liver, and the lungs (i.e. liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease). Smoking can also lead to elevated CEA values and needs to be taken into account when interpreting CEA levels. CEA determinations are not recommended for cancer-screening in the general population and CEA concentrations within the normal range do not exclude the possible presence of a malignant disease. The main indication for CEA determinations is the follow-up and therapy-management of colorectal carcinoma.