Adult patient:
Clotted blood tube
(Serum gel separator clot activator tube)
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric clotted blood tube
Number of vials: 2
Minimum blood volume: 1.6 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
No
Method
Immunoassay
Reference interval
< 4.7 µg/L
The 95th percentile of CEA results for smokers could be up to 6.5 µg/L.
(Source: from manufacturer's kit insert)
Clinical indication
Useful to detect recurrence of colonic adenocarcinoma and breast carcinoma following resection.
Not sufficiently specific or sensitive to be used as a screening test for malignant disease.
Result interpretation
Increasing levels in patients with a history of colorectal or breast adenocarcinoma suggest local recurrence or metastatic disease.
It may be increased in patients with other carcinomas (lung, liver, pancreas).
Slight increases may be seen in smokers and due to inflammatory bowel disease.
Measurement of uncertainty
Frequency of measurement
Daily