CEA, Peritoneal Fluid [17421]

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

CEAPER

Alias/See Also

17421

CPT Codes
82378

Preferred Specimen

3 mL peritoneal fluid in sterile, leak-proof transport tube

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

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

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

Gross hemolysis • Pancreatic fluid

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-2 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
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: November 29, 2021

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.