Cancer can increase the amount of a blood protein called carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This test measures your CEA level, which is normally found in low levels among healthy adults. High levels are seen when you have certain types of cancer, such as colorectal or lung cancer.
Your health care provider tests your CEA level before you have surgery or cancer treatment and sometimes after. It can help your doctor monitor how well treatment is working and if cancer has returned. It also can tell your provider if you are developing other problems, such as kidney stones.
You may have high CEA levels if you have cancer of the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Other conditions that can make CEA levels rise include liver disease, thyroid disease or pancreatic cancer.
A normal CEA level is 5 ng/mL.
A higher than normal level of CEA is usually a sign that you have cancer and it should be checked regularly by your health care provider.
Some other diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver or tuberculosis, can cause high CEA levels. These may be detected in a blood test and can be treated.
During treatment, your healthcare provider may test your CEA level every one to three months. A high level that stays high or increases can mean your treatment isn’t working and may be a sign of recurrence.
Your healthcare provider can order other tests to find out why your CEA levels are high or why they aren’t falling. They may test your blood, urine, saliva or fluid from the spine or chest.
CEA is often used to identify stage 4 colon cancer as well as many other types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and others. It can be helpful to have a high CEA level when you are newly diagnosed so that your doctor can get more information about the type of cancer and how advanced it is.
The American Joint Committee on Cancer recommends that you have a blood test for CEA before having surgery or cancer treatment to set a baseline. If you are in remission, your provider may decide to continue to monitor your CEA level after completion of therapy to watch for possible recurrences or other changes in your health.
You can lower your CEA level if you are in remission by eating right and exercising. You should also avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
When you have a diagnosis of cancer, your doctor will order other tests to find out more about the type and how far it has spread. Your provider may order tests such as a CT scan to see if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Your cancer doctor will then work with you to determine the best way to treat your cancer. This may involve a combination of medicines, surgery, radiation or other treatments.
Depending on the type of cancer you have, your doctor will try to remove as much cancer as possible. If the cancer has spread, your doctor will use radiation, surgery or other treatments to reduce the size of the tumor and kill any remaining cancer cells.
