Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) - tumor marker

A protein present in the BLOOD circulation with certain types of cancer. In this regard, CEA serves as a tumor marker. The cancers associated with elevated blood CEA levels are carcinomas of the COLON and RECTUM (COLORECTAL CANCER), PANCREAS, STOMACH, BREAST, and lung. The developing fetus also produces CEA, as do benign (noncancerous) tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In these circumstances the presence of CEA in the blood circulation is normal and not an indication of cancer. Cigarette SMOKING AND CANCER treatment with CHEMOTHERAPY or RADIATION THERAPY also can produce elevated blood levels of CEA.

See also BREAST CANCER; CA-125; CARCINOMA; LUNG CANCER; PANCREATIC CANCER; STOMACH CANCER; TUMOR MARKERS.

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