The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) test measures the level of a specific protein, classified as a tumor marker, that is found in the blood. CEA is normally produced by cells in the gastrointestinal tract of a developing fetus. Production usually stops before birth, so healthy adults should have very low or undetectable levels.
Elevated CEA levels are most often associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), but can also be elevated in other cancers and non-cancerous conditions.
