Overview and Clinical Significance
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker primarily associated with colorectal cancer, but it can also be elevated in lung, breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. It is a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, aiding in cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostic assessment.
Clinical Significance
- Colorectal Cancer Detection & Monitoring: CEA is commonly used to track colorectal cancer progression, with higher levels correlating with advanced disease and poorer prognosis.
- Other Malignancies & Non-Cancerous Conditions: Elevated CEA levels can also be seen in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers, as well as benign conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and smoking-related lung disease.
- Treatment Response & Prognostic Value: A decline in CEA levels after surgery or chemotherapy often indicates positive treatment response, while an increase may suggest tumor recurrence.
- Limitations & Complementary Testing: CEA is not specific to colorectal cancer, so it is often combined with imaging studies and other biomarkers for a more accurate diagnosis.
CEA is a key biomarker for colorectal and other cancers, influencing diagnostic accuracy, treatment monitoring, and prognostic evaluations.
