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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Source: Rectal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Context: General Information About Rectal Cancer / Follow-Up After Treatment
Measurement of CEA, a serum glycoprotein, is frequently used in the management and follow-up of patients with rectal cancer. A review of the use of this tumor marker for rectal cancer suggests the following:[39]
Source links and citations
Serum CEA testing is not a valuable screening tool for rectal cancer because of its low sensitivity and low specificity.
Postoperative CEA testing is typically restricted to patients who are potential candidates for further intervention, as follows:
Postoperative CEA testing is typically restricted to patients who are potential candidates for further intervention, as follows:
Patients with stage II or III rectal cancer (every 2–3 months for at least 2 years after diagnosis).
Postoperative CEA testing is typically restricted to patients who are potential candidates for further intervention, as follows:
Patients with rectal cancer who would be candidates for resection of liver metastases.
In one Dutch retrospective study of total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal cancer, investigators found that the preoperative serum CEA level was normal in most patients with rectal cancer, and yet, serum CEA levels rose by at least 50% in patients with recurrence. The authors concluded that serial, postoperative CEA testing cannot be discarded based on a normal preoperative serum CEA level in patients with rectal cancer.[48,49]
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice