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.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL
0.5 mL
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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
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Reference Ranges:
Adults:
Normal values in non-smokers <4 µg/L.
4 - 10 µg/L - marginal significance
> 10 µg/L- probable malignancyAdults:
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
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719 -
Routine Email: