Newcastle Laboratories

CEA , serum

Clinical Background:

CEA is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 180kDa. It is produced during foetal and embryonic development and repressed after birth.
The half-life is 2 - 8 days but may vary con...

CEA is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 180kDa. It is produced during foetal and embryonic development and repressed after birth.
The half-life is 2 - 8 days but may vary considerably due to molecular heterogeneity of CEA. Longer half-lives are acceptable following chemotherapy; very prolonged half-lives usually indicate a poor response to treatment. Transient increases may occur initially on commencing chemo due to tumour tissue breakdown and release of markers into circulation.
Slight to moderate (rarely >10ng/mL) occur in 20-50% of benign diseases of the intestine, the pancreas, the liver and the lungs. Smokers have significantly higher concentrations than non-smokers.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL

    0.5 mL

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: 7 days

    Separated:

    - At 20-25C - 1 day

    - At 2-8C - 7 days

    - At -20C - 6 months

    Unseparated: 7 days

    Separated:

    - At 20-25C - 1 day

    - At 2-8C - 7 days

    - At -20C - 6 months

  • Reference Ranges:

    Adults: 
    Normal values in non-smokers <4 µg/L.
    4 - 10 µg/L - marginal significance
    > 10 µg/L- probable malignancy 

    Adults: 
    Normal values in non-smokers <4 µg/L.
    4 - 10 µg/L - marginal significance
    > 10 µg/L- probable malignancy 

  • Other Info:

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at Freeman

Turn Around:

Within 2 full access days

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences – Freeman Hospital

Freeman Hospital
Freeman Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN

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