CEA

Alternative names:

carcinoembryonic antigen

Normal values:

The normal range is 0 to 2.5 mcg/L ( less than 3 ng/ml).

Note: mcg/L = micrograms per liter; ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter

What abnormal results mean:

Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:

• colon cancer
• breast cancer
• lung cancer
• pancreatic cancer
• thyroid cancer
• genitourinary carcinomas
• inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases (for example, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis)
• cirrhosis
• other liver disease
• peptic ulcer
• emphysema
• heavy smoking
• pulmonary infections