CPT/HCPCS
82378
Order Code
CH222
Turnaround Time
24-48 hours
Test Includes
Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Serum
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
SST (Tiger Top)
Preferred Specimens
Serum
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Test Details
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Clinical Significance
Increased serum CEA levels have been detected in persons with primary colorectal cancer and in patients with other malignancies involving the gastrointestinal tract, breast, lung, ovarian, prostatic, liver and pancreatic cancers. Elevated serum CEA levels have also been detected in patients with nonmalignant disease, especially patients who are older or who are smokers.
CEA levels are not useful in screening the general population for undetected cancers. However, CEA levels provide important information about patient prognosis, recurrence of tumors after surgical removal, and effectiveness of therapy.
Reference Ranges
Non-smoker: 0-5.6
Smoker: 0-6.5 ng/mL
Alternative Names
CEA
