What is a normal CEA tumor marker?
The normal range for CEA is 0 to 2.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL). If CEA levels remain elevated during treatment, your treatment may not have been as successful as hoped. Anything greater than 10 ng/mL suggests extensive disease, and levels greater than 20 ng/mL suggest the cancer may be spreading.
What is considered a high CEA level?
Levels of CEA higher than 20 ng/mL are considered very high. If you have CEA levels this high and you also have symptoms of cancer, it strongly suggests the cancer has not been removed successfully after treatment. It may also suggest that the cancer has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of your body.
What does CA 15/3 mean in a blood test?
This test measures the amount of cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) in your blood. CA 15-3 is a substance that stimulates your body’s defense system. Some kinds of cancer cells release the CA 15-3 antigen into the blood. This test is used to monitor certain types of cancer.
Does CEA increase with age?
CEA levels increased with age. related to age in smokers and non- smokers. their higher mean age (Table 1).
What is a good tumor marker number?
Normal range: < 2.5 ng/ml. Normal range may vary somewhat depending on the brand of assay used. Levels > 10 ng/ml suggest extensive disease and levels > 20 ng/ml suggest metastatic disease.
What is a normal CA 15-3 level?
A normal test result for CA 15-3 levels is usually 30 units per milliliter (U/ml) or less. Lab Tests Online notes that the levels of CA 15-3 generally increase in line with the advancement of breast cancer. Increased levels of CA 15-3 may, therefore, indicate that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
How long does it take for CEA to return to normal?
After successful surgical resection of colorectal cancer, an increased CEA concentration should return to normal within 4 to 6 weeks. Failure of an increased preoperative level to decrease in to the normal range within 6 weeks of surgery frequently is associated with recurrent disease.
Why did my CEA go up?
A high level of CEA can be a sign of certain types of cancers. These include cancers of the colon and rectum, prostate, ovary, lung, thyroid, or liver. High CEA levels may also be a sign of some noncancerous conditions, such as cirrhosis, noncancerous breast disease, and emphysema.