Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Rapid Test

The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Rapid Test is a diagnostic tool used to measure the level of carcinoembryonic antigen in the blood. CEA is a protein that is normally produced in very low levels by fetal tissue during development, but it can also be produced by certain types of cancerous tumors, particularly those in the colon, rectum, pancreas, stomach, and breast.

The CEA Rapid Test is primarily used as a tumor marker to help in the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of cancer. It is particularly useful in assessing colorectal cancer, where elevated levels of CEA may indicate the presence of the disease, as well as in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and detecting any recurrence.

The test typically involves collecting a blood sample, and the results can be obtained rapidly, often within minutes. Healthcare providers use the results, along with other clinical information, to guide treatment decisions and monitor the progression of the disease.

It's important to note that while elevated CEA levels can indicate the presence of cancer, they can also be elevated in non-cancerous conditions such as inflammation, infection, or certain other medical conditions. Therefore, further evaluation is often necessary to determine the underlying cause of elevated CEA levels.