Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
 • CEA is a highly glycosylated cell surface glycoprotein involved in intercellular adhesion
 • CEA is shed from the cell surface into the circulation and can be detected in serum.
 • It is thought that infiltrating tumor growth breaks down the normal barriers that usually prevent CEA from entering the circulation.
Malignancies associated with elevated CEA levels - Over-expressed primarily by adenocarcinomas: Colon, Rectum, Breast, Lung
Benign conditions associated with elevated CEA levels: Pulmonary emphysema, Bronchitis, Acute ulcerative colitis, Rectal polyps, Hepatitis, Alcoholic cirrhosis, Obstructive jaundice, Smokers, Renal disease

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