Carcinoembryonic antigen & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is carcinoembryonic antigen?

The carcinoembryonic antigen test measures the amount of protein seen in the blood for some people with certain types of cancer, particularly colon cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum). It can also occur in people with pancreatic, breast, uterine or lung cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigens are generally produced during fetal development. Production of carcinoembryonic antigens stops before birth and is usually absent in the blood of healthy adults.

When should I take carcinoembryonic antigen?

The carcinoembryonic antigen test is used to:

• find out the spread of cancer for some of these diseases, especially colon cancer
• check the success of colon cancer treatment
• Carcinoembryonic antigen levels can be measured before and after surgery to check the success of the operation and the chance of cure for the patient
• check if the cancer comes back after finishing treatment

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before undergoing carcinoembryonic antigen?

Individuals who smoke tend to have higher levels of carcinoembryonic antigen than nonsmokers. Increased levels of carcinoembryonic antigen can indicate several conditions not related to cancer, such as inflammation, cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, and benign breast cancer. Most cancers do not produce this protein, so your carcinoembryonic antigen can be normal even if you have cancer.

Process

What should I do before undergoing carcinoembryonic antigen?

You don't need to do anything before this test. If you smoke, your doctor will tell you to avoid smoking for a short period of time before the test.

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the need for this test, the risks, the test process, or the purpose of the test results.

How is the carcinoembryonic antigen process?

The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:

• wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
• clean the area to be injected with alcohol
• inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
• Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
• untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
• attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
• apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on.

What should I do after taking carcinoembryonic antigen?

An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm and will feel tight. You may not feel anything when you get the injection, or you may feel like you are stung or pinched.

If you have questions related to this test process, please consult your doctor for a better understanding.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Test results are usually available within 1 to 3 days. Normal scores on this list (called references range) only serves as a guide. Range this varies from laboratory to laboratory, and your laboratory may have different normal scores. How much your lab report will usually contain range they use. Your doctor will also check your test results based on your health condition and other factors. This means if your test results go into range abnormal in this manual, it could be in your laboratory or for your condition the score is assigned to range normal.

Normal score

Less than 5 nanograms per milliliter (ng / mL) or less than 5 micrograms per liter (mcg / L).

Many conditions can change your carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Your doctor will discuss any abnormal results on the test results with you regarding your symptoms and medical history.

High score

A high score on this test could mean:

• the presence of colon, lung, pancreatic, breast, or uterine cancer
• cancer does not respond to treatment
• cancer returns after treatment. A persistent increase in carcinoembryonic antigen is the first sign that the cancer will recur after completion of treatment. A person with advanced cancer or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer) can have high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen if the initial cancer is producing this protein before treatment.
• presence of other conditions or diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), or obstructed bile ducts

Depending on the laboratory of your choice, the normal range of the carcinoembryonic antigen test may vary. Discuss any questions you have about your medical test results with your doctor.