CEA

CEA stands for Carcinoembryonic Antigen, which is a protein found in higher amounts in some types of cancer cells, especially colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancers. It serves as a tumor marker, meaning doctors can measure its levels in the blood to help monitor cancer presence, progress, or response to treatment. Elevated CEA levels may suggest cancer, but they can also occur due to other conditions, so it’s not a definitive diagnosis on its own. CEA testing is primarily used alongside other tests to guide cancer management and follow-up.