Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA), Fluid
Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA), Fluid
The carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) test measures a specific blood glycoprotein called CEA. CEA is a type of tumor marker that are often made by cancer cells or normal cells in response to cancer. Usually, a baby is born with high CEA levels which goes down to very low levels or disappears completely as the child grows into an adult. Ideally, an adult should have little or no CEA in his/her body.
Cancers that may cause high levels of CEA include colorectal cancer, prostate, ovary, lung, thyroid, liver, lung, and breast cancers. Your healthcare provider may order this test to evaluate how much carcino embryonic antigen is in the cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, or peritoneal fluid
What is a CEA, Fluid test used for?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to:
Check if cancer has grown or spread (metastasized) to other body parts
Evaluate how well cancer treatment is working
See if there is a recurrence of cancer even after treatment
Test preparation
This test does not require any special preparations such as fasting beforehand
Interpretation of the Test Results
Low CEA levels: This could mean a small-sized tumor that has not spread to other parts of the body.
High CEA levels: This could mean that the cancer tumor is large in size and has metastasized to other parts of the body
FAQs
How is the CEA, fluid test done?
Your healthcare provider will take a small fluid sample from either your abdominal wall (peritoneal fluid), chest (pleural fluid), or spinal cord (cerebrospinal or CSF fluid). For this, a small needle or syringe is inserted into your chest or lower back
What are the possible side effects of the CEA test?
Potential risks include experiencing discomfort during the collection of the sample, feeling dizzy, encountering minor bleeding, or the possibility of infection at the site of collection
Should I take certain precautions before undergoing this test?
As part of the preparation for this test, you may have to temporarily stop certain medications or supplements that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin
Can CEA levels be high without the incidence of cancer?
Yes. High CEA levels do not necessarily imply that there is an occurrence of cancer. Sometimes, an individual who has a habit of smoking cigarettes may have elevated levels of CEA. Other than this, there are non-cancerous conditions that often result in increased CEA levels such as diabetes, gastritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc
How can I lower my CEA levels naturally?
You can lower your CEA levels naturally by consuming foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish such as mackerel, sardines, herring, and salmon, along with seafood and seeds like chia and flaxseeds, are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids
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