Carcinoembryonic Antigen Test: What You Need to Know About the Cost and Benefits

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-known tumor marker used in the medical field to help assess the progression and treatment response of certain cancers. It is particularly useful in monitoring patients who have already been diagnosed with malignancies such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and other adenocarcinomas. While it is not a standalone diagnostic tool due to its relatively low specificity, it plays a crucial role in evaluating treatment effectiveness and detecting possible cancer recurrence.

The cost of a single CEA blood test can vary depending on the region and healthcare facility. In general, the price ranges between $10 and $30 (USD), or its local equivalent, influenced by factors such as laboratory standards, reagent quality, and regional economic conditions. This makes it a relatively affordable option for routine cancer follow-up testing.

CEA is a glycoprotein that can be elevated in the presence of various cancers, as well as in some non-cancerous conditions. The normal reference range is typically 0–5.0 μg/L. If CEA levels are significantly elevated and cancer has not yet been diagnosed, it may indicate the need for a comprehensive body scan to identify potential malignancies or other serious health conditions.

For patients undergoing cancer treatment, repeating the CEA test after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can provide valuable insight into how well the treatment is working. A decline in CEA levels usually suggests a positive response to therapy, while stable or increasing levels may signal resistance to treatment or possible metastasis. In such cases, further imaging tests like PET-CT scans are often recommended for a more detailed evaluation.

One of the key advantages of CEA testing is its utility in long-term cancer monitoring. Since it is cost-effective and easy to perform, it is commonly used during follow-up visits to detect early signs of tumor recurrence. Regular CEA checks can help doctors make timely clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.