Physical Findings

Stop & Think

Lab and X-Ray

Differential Diagnosis

The Disease

Treatment

Conclusions

Quiz & Evaluation

• The CEA isn't as specific for cancer as we would like.
• It's an agent involved in embryonic gut development.
• We measure it in the serum. A simple blood test.
• In the healthy adult, it should be practically zero.
• Smokers have a higher level than non-smokers.
• Here's the difference in the reference ranges
• Non-smoker < 2.5 ng/ml
• Smokers <4.5 ng/ml
• Elevations associated with malignancies:
• Colon/rectum   70-80%
• Pancreas 65-75%
• Stomach 30-60%
• Breast 50-65%
• Ovary 40%
• Other Carcinomas 20-50%