CEA

Test Code

LAB57

Alias/See Also

Carcinoembryonic Antigen

CPT Codes
82378

Preferred Specimen

Plain red top, Lithium heparin, serum separator

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold (SST)

Instructions

Spin PST or SST and send to lab

Transport Temperature

room temp

Specimen Stability

After separation from cells: 24 hours room temp, 7 days refrigerated

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

Grossly hemolysed specimens

Methodology
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)

Setup Schedule

Mon, Wed, Fri

Reference Range

0-3.0 ng/mL

Clinical Significance

CEA testing can have significant value in the monitoring of patients with diagnosed malignancies in whom changing
concentrations of CEA are observed. A persistent elevation in circulating CEA following treatment is strongly
indicative of occult metastatic and/or residual disease

Performing Laboratory
Piedmont Athens Regional

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.