Cancer-embryonic antigen

To detect cancer, the venous blood test is assigned to oncomarkers. One of them is the cancer-embryonic antigen, which is usually used in the diagnosis of tumors of the rectum and large intestine, especially colorectal carcinoma. In rare cases, this cancer marker is used to conduct a test for the development of cancer of the liver, breast, lungs and stomach.

What is cancer-embryonic antigen or CEA?

The chemical structure of the compound in question includes proteins and carbohydrates, so it refers to glycoproteins.

REA is actively produced by the organs of the digestive system during the period of intrauterine development, it is designed to activate cell multiplication and stimulate fetal growth. In adulthood, antigen in very small amounts can be produced by a healthy organism, but a significant increase in its concentration, as a rule, indicates tumor processes in the colon or rectum. Sometimes CEA increases due to the progression of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of internal organs.

It is worth noting that the cancer-embryonic antigen is still referred to as CEA. This reduction comes from the name of the glycoprotein in English - Carcino Embryonic Antigen.

Norm of cancer-embryonic antigen in women

The reference or normal set values ​​for CEA depends a little on the presence of bad habits.

Thus, for women who smoke, the norm of the cancer embryonic antigen is from 5 to 10 ng / ml of blood.

With alcohol abuse, this indicator is slightly higher - 7-10 ng / ml.

If a woman does not have bad habits, the normal amount of CEA (CEA) can range from 0 to 5 ng / ml.

Why can cancerous embryonic antigen be elevated?

A significant increase in the concentration of the described glycoprotein in the blood is observed in malignant tumors of such organs:

Exceeding the norm of CEA in dozens of times occurs with relapses of previously undergone oncological therapy, as well as multiple metastases in bone tissue, liver.

In addition, an increase in the number of CEA can occur with non-tumor diseases: