Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test

Why It Is Done

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is used to:

• Find how widespread cancer is for some types of the disease, especially colon cancer.
• Check the success of treatment for colon cancer.
  • CEA levels may be measured both before and after surgery to evaluate both the success of the surgery and the person's chances of recovery.
  • CEA levels may be measured during treatment with medicines to destroy cancer cells (chemotherapy). This provides information about how well the treatment is working.
• Check to see if cancer has returned after treatment.

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Author:	Ralph Poore	Last Updated: April 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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