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HelpTest Code CEA Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum
Reporting Name
Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), SUseful For
Monitoring colorectal cancer and selected other cancers such as medullary thyroid carcinoma
May be useful in assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment
This test is not useful for screening the general population for undetected cancers.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL Serum
Collection Instructions:
1. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge the specimen.
2. For serum gel tubes, serum may sit on gel refrigerated but must be aliquoted within 7 days.
3. For red top tubes, aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Serum: 0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Reference Values
Nonsmokers: ≤3.0 ng/mL
Some smokers may have elevated CEA, usually <5.0 ng/mL.
Serum markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82378
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEA | Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), S | 83085-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEA | Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), S | 83085-1 |
Report Available
1 to 3 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.