CEA | Carcinoembryonic antigen

CEA | Carcinoembryonic Antigen - (colon, small intestine, colorectal, liver, breast CA) is a cancer marker that is elevated in many malignancies. High levels of CEA are often found in cases of colorectal adecarcinoma. Mild to moderate elevations of CEA may occur in benign conditions of the bowel, pancreas, liver, and lungs (ie, liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). Smoking can also lead to elevated CEA values and should be taken into account when interpreting CEA levels. The indication for the CEA test is the monitoring of colorectal carcinoma treatment, the diagnosis of relapses after treatment or surgical resection, and as an aid in staging and evaluation of metastases.