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HelpTest Code CEA Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum
Specimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
CMH COLLECTION: 1.5 mL in red gel vacutainer
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Useful For
Monitoring colorectal cancer and selected other cancers such as medullary thyroid carcinoma
May be useful in assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment
This test is not useful for screening the general population for undetected cancers.
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysReporting Name
Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), SReference Values
Nonsmokers: ≤3.0 ng/mL
Some smokers may have elevated CEA, usually <5.0 ng/mL.
Serum markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
82378