Anton Bilchik Explains the CEA Test

Anton Bilchik Explains the CEA Test

Anton Bilchik MD is one of the nation’s leading cancer surgeons, and, as such, uses a wide variety of tools to diagnose and treat his patients. Laboratory blood tests provide special insight into a patient’s condition, including the presence or development of cancer. One such laboratory blood test is the carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA test. Here is a short explanation of this essential cancer test.

CEA is a protein normally found in the tissue of a baby developing in the womb. After delivery, CEA levels fall until they become very low, or disappear completely. An abnormal level of CEA in blood, body fluids or tissues of an adult can be a sign of cancer.

Anton Bilchik may order a CEA if he suspects a patient has cancer. He might also use this test to find out whether treatment has been effective in reducing the cancer – lowered CEA levels suggest fewer cancer cells. CEA levels also help Dr Bilchik stage the cancer, which means determine whether the cancer has spread, and, if so, how far. People with larger tumors, later-stage cancer, or tumors that have spread throughout the body tend to have higher CEA levels.

Smoking may increase your CEA levels. If you are a smoker, your doctor may suggest you refrain from smoking before having your blood drawn for CEA. The normal range for CEA in an adult non-smoker is <2.5 ng/ml and for a smoker <5.0 ng/ml. Other non-cancer conditions that can increase CEA levels include inflammation, cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, emphysema, and benign breast disease.

Contact the offices of Anton Bilchik MD to learn more about CEA and other cancer tests.