What does CEA mean

[jeanette57]

What words are for CEA? I saw my blood work and it said CEA= 2.3. No one to ask, so I can search it! thanks!

[RixInPhx]

CarcinoEmbryonic Antigen, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinoembryonic_antigen

And from the Terminology and Abbreviations thread of this forum, see: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5366

HTH, Rick

[jeanette57]

Thanks! I have no clue what the scale numbers mean? 7 weeks of chem/radiation it was 2.3 out of ???? Right now the sunrise over a blessed cool desert sky has me in bliss! Cancer does not matter today!

[weisssoccermom]

Jeanette,
First of all, you have to know which test you had done. Yes, there are TWO different CEA tests (actually the same test but done with a different reagent) that have two different sets of parameters.

Until about two years ago, there really was only one test - at the time it was simply called the BAYER test. Since then, Siemens has purchased Bayer so now it is sometimes referred to as the Bayer/Siemens test or simply the Siemens test. The 'normal' range for a nonsmoker is between 0 - 2.5 or 3 (I have seen one lab say the high is 2.5 and another say 3). For smokers, the range is higher - I believe up to 5.
The other CEA test uses a different reagent and is called the ROCHE test - this was the 'second' testing that is being used more and more frequently. Same test - different reagent - different 'normal' values. My lab uses the Siemens test so honestly, I haven't seen the normal values for the Roche test, however, I do know that those normal values are higher. If memory serves me correctly, the normal for the Roche test for a non-smoker is upwards of 5. Be aware though - you can't interchange values from one test to another.

I don't know how your lab works - mine has printed on the actual piece of paper the name of the testing agent (in my case Siemens) that was used when processing my blood sample. I'm a huge advocate for actually SEEING your reports/blood work, etc. so that you really know what you are dealing with. Regardless which test was done, your level of 2.3 is well within the normal range, but, if I were you, I would want to know which testing method was utilized.

Don't bank everything solely on your CEA level. Remember that people without colorectal cancer (or any cancer for that matter) have normal levels of CEA in their blood. That doesn't mean, however, that you should just dismiss your levels either. It's just one piece of information that the doctor uses to keep track of a person's health. Also, be aware that not everyone's tumor gives off the protein that the test is designed to detect. For example, I had a fairly large rectal tumor at dx but my CEA was 0.5- well within normal range! For me, CEA wasn't a good indicator but for others it is - just remember that everyone's situation is different.

Jaynee

[EdFromCT]

There are quite a few past threads on this forum that provide further details on CEA testing. Basically the key is to look at trends more than at the absolute number, but even then the results can be somewhat erratic.

Based on the many anxious posters and my own experiences, I'd like to suggest an alternative answer to the question asked in the name of this thread:

CEA means "Creating Extra Anxiety".

-Ed

[cecioboe]

My husband's blood work showed no elevated levels of CEA even though he was stage IV. It's not always a marker.

[livingbyfaith]

Ed love your comment. I cared for my dad who had prostate cancer and we were up and down per the numbers. Now with my husband, anxiety is so true.

[RixInPhx]

There is no 'upper limit' to the scale that I'm aware of, and I don't know the equation for calculating it.
See my own CEA rollercoaster in my signature.
I've read another member here started at about 1300 CEA.

I'd say your 2.5 is very, very good.
in the overall scheme of treatment, the most important thing is to knw whether the value is trending up or down, not unlike political election surveys (but inverse): If the candidate's favorability number is going down, s/he should consider doing something else, since the current strategy isn't working.
If your CEA is trending up over the next couple tests, perhaps a new strategy is needed; if stable or decreasing, you're probably doing very well.

Keep in mind that CES is only a marker, and only one of several tools for evaluating your status.

HTH, Rick