Carcinoembry embryonic antigen (CET) is a protein produced mainly in early fetal life and during rapid multiplication of cells in the digestive system, and could be used as an indicator of colorectal cancer; However, people without gastrointestinal changes or smokers may have increased concentrations of this protein, and more tests are needed to confirm whether there is a tumor or not.
Carcinoembryronary examination is most commonly used in patients being treated for colorectal cancer, as colorectal cancer values may return to normal 6 weeks after surgery to remove the tumor. This protein can also increase in people with changes in the pancreas, liver and even breasts. , indicating breast fibrotic mastopathy. Learn more about this disease.
- Carcinoembryronary antigen should be requested by your doctor to help diagnose colorectal cancer.
- However.
- Because of its specificity to confirm the diagnosis.
- No other problems need to indicate this.
- As AEC is most commonly used to monitor the patient after the operation and check chemotherapy treatment.
- Know the symptoms of bowel cancer.
This antigen may also have high blood concentrations in other situations, such as:
Pancreatic cancer;
Lung cancer;
Liver cancer;
Inflammatory bowel disease;
Thyroid cancer;
Pancreatitis;
Lung infections;
As smokers;
Benign breast disease, characterized by the presence of benign nodules or cysts in the breast.
Because there are several situations in which the carcinoembry embryonic antigen may be elevated, further tests are recommended, as they should be referred to the doctor for a correct diagnosis.
The baseline of this test varies by laboratory, so it is recommended to increase the antigen intake in the laboratory, to allow a more accurate interpretation of the patient’s examination and clinical picture. The reference values are usually:
Smokers: up to 5. 0 ng/mL;
Non-smoker: up to 3. 0 ng/mL.
Blood concentration may be slightly increased in people without malignant change, however, when the value is 5 times higher than the reference value, this could indicate cancer with possible metastasis, so it is important to take and evaluate other tumor markers, as well as evaluate haematological and biochemical problems to complete the diagnosis. See all examples that detect cancer.