Tumor Markers
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
Tumor Markers
CEA is a protein used mainly to follow treatment and watch for recurrence in bowel cancer. It is not used to detect cancer in people without symptoms.
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CEA is present in small amounts in healthy adults and can rise with several cancers, most importantly bowel cancer. Its value lies in the trend rather than a single number: measured before and after treatment, a falling level suggests the treatment is working and a rising level can be the first sign of recurrence. Because benign conditions and smoking also raise it, CEA cannot confirm or exclude cancer on its own.
The test is used in people with a confirmed cancer to follow treatment response, and in follow-up after surgery to detect recurrence early. It is sometimes used as part of an assessment of unexplained bowel symptoms or weight loss, alongside other investigations. It is not recommended as a general check in people without symptoms.
What a high value can mean
A raised CEA can occur with bowel cancer and with cancers of the pancreas, lung, breast and stomach. It is also raised by smoking, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and chronic lung disease. In follow-up after cancer treatment, a value that rises across repeated tests is more meaningful than any single result, and prompts imaging.
What a low value can mean
A normal CEA makes significant activity from a CEA-producing tumour less likely, and in someone under treatment suggests it is working. Some cancers do not produce CEA, particularly at an early stage, so a normal value does not exclude cancer. Bowel cancer screening in Sweden uses a stool test, not CEA.
No special preparation is needed. Mention if you smoke, as smoking raises the value. If you are following the value over time, use the same laboratory, since methods differ. Bring valid ID to your appointment.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
Yes. Smokers have higher levels on average, and some laboratories give a separate reference interval for smokers. Mention it when your result is assessed.
No. Diagnosis is made by colonoscopy and tissue sampling. CEA is used once cancer is known, to follow treatment and detect recurrence.
In follow-up after treatment, a value rising across repeated tests can be an early sign of recurrence and usually prompts imaging. A single raised value in isolation means much less.