Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is used to:
- Find how widespread cancer is for some types of the disease, especially colon cancer.
- Check the success of treatment for colon cancer.
- CEA levels may be measured both before and after surgery to evaluate both the success of the surgery and the person's chances of recovery.
- CEA levels may be measured during treatment with medicines to destroy cancer cells (chemotherapy). This provides information about how well the treatment is working.
- Check to see if cancer has returned after treatment.
| Last updated: | April 30, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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