Cea levels what is normal

According to an article recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, levels of tumor markers plus results from computed tomography CT scans predicted cancer recurrences earlier than either method alone among patients with colorectal cancer who had liver metastasis that had been surgically removed. The liver is a very common site for colorectal cancer to spread-a condition referred to as liver metastasis.

The surgical removal of liver metastasis provides the greatest hope for a cure among these patients; however, long-term survival still remains unfavorable as a large majority of these patients will experience a recurrence of their cancer.

Generally, outcomes for cancer recurrences that are detected and treated in their earliest possible stages are better than outcomes for those treated at later stages. Therefore, the most accurate monitoring for recurrences among patients who have had liver metastasis surgically removed may ultimately result in optimal outcomes for these patients. Tumor makers are molecules that can be detected in circulating blood. Carcinoembryonic antigen CEA and the carbohydrate antigen CA are two markers whose levels may be tested to determine the presence of colorectal cancer.

In addition, CT scans are often used to monitor for recurrences among colorectal cancer patients. Researchers continue to evaluate the most accurate ways to detect colorectal cancer recurrences so that treatment may begin in the earliest stages of recurrence. Researchers from London conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of CEA plus CA and CT scans in monitoring for recurrences among patients with colorectal cancer.

This trial included 76 patients who had liver metastasis surgically removed. The patients underwent CEA, CA testing, and CT scans every three months following surgery for two years and every six months thereafter. The researchers concluded that the combination of tumor makers and CT scans appear to improve detection of early recurrences compared to either method alone in colorectal cancer patients who have undergone surgery for liver metastasis.

Patients who have undergone surgery for liver metastasis should discuss the most appropriate follow-up monitoring schedule for the detection of recurrences with their physician. According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology , levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen CEA and albumin ALB are associated with survival among patients with early colorectal cancer.

Levels of the protein CEA in the blood may be indicative of the presence or spread of colon cancer. ALB, also a protein that can be measured in the blood, may also indicate some levels of cancerous activity. Researchers are still evaluating CEA and ALB levels and their potential associations with outcomes among cancer patients. Researchers recently evaluated data to determine the relationship of CEA and ALB levels prior to treatment among patients with early colon cancer.

The researchers concluded that levels of CEA and ALB prior to treatment are significantly associated with long-term survival among patients with early colorectal cancer. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

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Medical Tests. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. If you are being treated for cancer, you may be tested several times throughout treatment.

These results may show:. If you had a test on a body fluid CSF, peritoneal, or pleural , a high level of CEA may mean the cancer has spread to that area. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Many cancers don't produce CEA. If your CEA results were normal, you may still have cancer. Also, high levels of CEA can be sign of a noncancerous health condition. In addition, people who smoke cigarettes often have higher than normal CEA levels.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

CEA Test. What is a CEA test? What is it used for? A CEA test may be used to: Monitor treatment of people with certain types of cancers. These include colon cancer and cancers of the rectum, prostate, ovary, lung, thyroid, and liver. Figure out the stage of your cancer. This means checking the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread.

See if cancer has returned after treatment. Why do I need a CEA test? What happens during a CEA test? The majority of studies suggest that preoperative CEA levels can provide prognostic data in patients with stage II colorectal cancer. High levels are associated with more aggressive disease. After successful surgical resection of colorectal cancer, an increased CEA concentration should return to normal within 4 to 6 weeks. Failure of an increased preoperative level to decrease in to the normal range within 6 weeks of surgery frequently is associated with recurrent disease.

The use of serial CEA levels to follow patients who have no evidence of disease after primary therapy is more controversial. Serial CEA determinations are most useful in detecting liver metastasis. For this subset, CEA monitoring is recommended every 2 to 3 months for at least 2 years after diagnosis. CEA has a much lower sensitivity and specificity for detection of local recurrence after successful primary therapy.

However, CEA does appear to be superior to endoscopy, computerized tomograpy and ultrasound in diagnosing local recurrences.