CEA
Pronunciation: C-E-A
Also written as: CEA — carcinoembryonic antigen
Carcinoembryonic antigen, a tumor marker used primarily for monitoring colorectal cancer.
Full Definition
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein that serves as a tumor marker, particularly valuable in colorectal cancer management. Elevated CEA levels may indicate cancer presence, recurrence, or progression, though levels can also be elevated in benign conditions and smoking. CEA is primarily used for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence rather than initial diagnosis. Serial CEA measurements provide more clinical value than single determinations. In oncology documentation, CEA values should include reference ranges and trending information to aid in clinical interpretation.
Usage
Usage note: Always include units (ng/mL) and reference ranges when reporting CEA values.
In Context
- "CEA levels decreased from 45 to 8 ng/mL following chemotherapy." — Laboratory report
- "Rising CEA suggests possible disease recurrence in this colorectal cancer patient." — Progress note