CEA 0000978

CEA or Carcinoembryonic Antigen is used primarily to monitor cancer treatment, including response to therapy and recurrence. It is used as an indicator of the amount of cancer or size of tumor present (tumor burden) and to assist in determining prognosis and cancer staging. It is useful in determining if cancer has spread (metastasis) and may be used occasionally as follow up to a positive screening test for cancer but it is not useful as a general screening test. It is most useful when you have already been diagnosed with colon, pancreas, breast, lung, ovarian, medullary thyroid or other cancer prior to starting cancer treatment and then, if elevated, at intervals during and after therapy.