What Is CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)?

May 16, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Peng Xiaodong

Introduction

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker associated with malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and is primarily used for screening and auxiliary diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Elevated CEA levels occur most frequently in colorectal cancer, followed by pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, and other malignancies. CEA levels may also increase in certain benign conditions, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and nonspecific colitis.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is primarily used for tumor screening and detection in clinical practice. Common malignancies associated with elevated CEA levels include gastrointestinal cancers—such as gastric cancer and colorectal cancer—as well as pancreatic cancer and gynecological cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. Clinically, CEA is mainly utilized for tumor diagnosis and for evaluating treatment efficacy. So, what exactly is CEA?

What is Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)?

CEA is a tumor marker predominantly associated with malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, especially employed in the screening and auxiliary diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Elevated CEA levels occur most frequently in colorectal cancer, followed by pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. Notably, CEA levels may also rise in certain benign conditions—including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and nonspecific colitis. In healthy individuals, serum CEA concentration is typically below 2.5 ng/mL. A level exceeding 20 µg/L strongly suggests the possible presence of colorectal cancer.

The clinical significance of CEA lies in its ability to reflect the presence of multiple types of tumors. However, CEA lacks high specificity and sensitivity, limiting its utility in early cancer detection. Nevertheless, its discovery has significantly advanced cancer research.

CEA measurement holds valuable clinical significance for dynamically monitoring disease progression and treatment response in patients with gynecological malignancies, guiding subsequent therapeutic decisions, assessing treatment efficacy, and formulating individualized treatment plans. We hope this information is helpful to you!

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