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Order Code LAB403 Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC

EPIC Test Code           

Mnemonic

RV CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN

LAB403

CEA

Useful For

Monitoring colorectal cancer and other cancers including gastrointestinal, breast, lung, ovarian, prostatic, liver, and pancreatic.  May be useful in assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment.  Carcinoembryonic antigen levels are not useful in screening the general population for undetected cancers

Specimen Requirements

Speciemn Type: Serum

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: SST

Acceptable: Plain, red-top tube 

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Stability               
Serum Ambient 4 hours
  Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen 4 weeks

Reference Values

Note: The concentration of CEA in a given specimen, as determined by assays from different manufacturers, can vary due to differences in assay methods and reagent specificity. Patient results determined by assays using different manufacturer’s for methods may not be comparable.

  • ≤ 3.0 ng/mL
  • Smokers may have slightly elevated levels (generally < 10 ng/mL)

Smokers may have slightly elevated results- generally <10 ng/mL

Specimens with biotin concentrations up to 25 ng/mL demonstrated a less than or equal to 10% change in results. Serum biotin concentrations >25 ng/mL may falsely decrease CEA results.

For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and other findings.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Mondays and Thursdays

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center

Manufacturer and Methodology

Ortho; Immunometric