cea and breast cancer

Release time ：Dec-27,2024

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein found on the surface of certain cancer cells, including those of breast cancer. Elevated CEA levels may suggest the presence or recurrence of breast cancer, although not all breast cancer patients exhibit increased CEA levels.

Primarily, CEA level monitoring is employed to assess the efficacy of treatment and disease progression in breast cancer patients. A decrease in CEA levels during treatment may signal treatment effectiveness, while an increase could indicate tumor growth or spread. However, CEA level testing is not infallible, as it can be influenced by factors such as smoking, inflammation, or other cancers.

The normal range for CEA levels is typically from 0 to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood. If CEA levels exceed this range, physicians may recommend additional tests to ascertain whether breast cancer or other cancers are present. It's important to note that a slight elevation in CEA levels does not definitively indicate cancer, as various other factors can also lead to increased CEA levels.

Regular CEA level monitoring is crucial for breast cancer patients to promptly detect disease recurrence or progression. However, it's essential to understand that CEA level testing should not entirely supplant other diagnostic methods, such as mammography or biopsy. Patients are advised to follow their healthcare provider's recommendations for comprehensive examinations and evaluations.