What is carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)?

Beth A. Schrope, MD on behalf of Columbia University Department of Surgery

Surgery

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a protein that may also be used as a tumor marker. CEA is typically found in the blood of a developing fetus, but disappears almost entirely from the blood stream after birth. The normal range of CEA in an adult non-smoker is less than 2.5 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter), and less than 5.0 ng/mL for an adult smoker. However, certain cancers like colorectal cancer and those involving the gastrointestinal tract are known to increase CEA levels in adults. CEA levels greater than 20 ng/mL before therapy are associated with metastatic cancer.

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