CEA- Bowel Cancer

Question 1. What is CEA?

CEA stands for Carcinoembryonic antigen. Early primitive cells produce CEA during intra-uterine live in womb. It is barely detectable after birth. Patients with cancer of colon or large intestine in view of primitive nature of cells produce excess amounts of CEA and this overflow into peripheral blood and can be detected using antibody against CEA. Hence, CEA can be measured to diagnose colonic or large intestine cancer. Following treatment of cancer CEA can help monitor response to treatment and detect early recurrence of cancer.

 Question 2. When should I request CEA?

If you have any of these symptoms or complaints, you should have your CEA levels checked to exclude colon Cancer:

Monitor recurrence of bowel cancer

Chronic Abdominal pain 

Epigastric Pain

Jaundiced

Strong Family history of bowel cancer

History of intestinal polyps

Unexplained recent weight loss

Changes dietary habits e.g. Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting

Abdominal fullness

Abdominal Mass, swelling or lump

Chronic cough and progressive breathlessness

Blood in stool

Passage of black coloured stool

Alternating diarrhoea and constipation for no apparent reason

 Question 3. How is CEA measured?

CEA is measured on a small sample of blood. Specific antibody is used to trap CEA from serum and level is quantified and reported. For most patients only one tube of blood is needed for all the tests. Fasting is not needed and no special preparation is required prior to sample collection.

 Question 4. How long should I wait for the test report?

The testing takes up to 24 hrs depending on laboratory workload. Patient or doctor will be contacted for urgent results, otherwise return to your doctor for follow-up. All reports are kept confidential and only accessed by patient or his/her doctor.

 Question 5. What does the test report mean?

The CEA result can be reported qualitatively or quantitatively. You will be advised of any positive report and need for further investigation or repeat testing. False positives occur in small number of patients with benign conditions. You should see your doctor or see our clinical Pathologist for further explanation on test result. 

 Question 6. Can I use CEA to screen for bowel cancer?

No. CEA has not been shown to be useful in screening for early cancer. CEA can only be used to assist diagnosis in the case of clinically suspected cancer. CEA is most useful in monitoring response to treatment and picking up early recurrence after treatment. For screening of bowel cancer, you should have faecal occult blood test (FOBT) done.