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CEA
Formal name: Carcinoembryonic Antigen Related tests: Tumor markers
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The Test Sample
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What is being tested?CEA is a protein that is normally not able to be detected in the blood of a healthy person. When the protein appears in the blood of an adult, it can indicate cancer, but it will not indicate which kind of cancer is present. CEA is often used to monitor patients with cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can also indicate benign conditions.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
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This article was last reviewed on
June 24, 2006.
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