Test, CEA
cancer of the pancreas, stomach, breast, lung, and certain types of thyroid and ovarian cancer. Levels over 20 ng/ml before therapy are associated with cancer which has already metastasized (spread).
CEA is useful in monitoring the treatment of CEA-rich tumors. If the CEA is high before treatment, it should fall to normal after successful therapy. A rising CEA level indicates progression or recurrence of the cancer. (Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can themselves cause a rise in CEA due to death of tumor cells and release of CEA into the blood stream but that rise is typically temporary).
“Carcinoembryonic” reflects the fact that CEA is made by some cancers (“carcino-“) and by the developing fetus (“-embryonic”).
Read Also:
- Test, child development
The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), better known as “the Brazelton” (because it was devised by the Harvard pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton); The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) for children 0-6 years of age; The ELM (Early Language Milestone) scale for children 0-3 years of age; The CAT (Clinical Adaptive Test) and CLAMS (Clinical Linguistic […]
- Test, Denver Developmental Screening
The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) devised by the Harvard pediatrician T. Berry Brazleton and better known as “the Brazleton;” The ELM (Early Language Milestone) scale for children 0-3 years of age; The CAT (Clinical Adaptive Test) and CLAMS (Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale) for children 0-3 years of age; The Infant Monitoring System […]
- Test, EPO
Too little EPO might be responsible for too few red blood cells (such as in evaluating anemia). Too much EPO might be causing too many red blood cells (polycythemia). Too much EPO might be evidence for a kidney tumor. Too much EPO in an athlete suggests EPO abuse. The patient is usually asked to fast […]
- Test, erythropoietin
Too little EPO might be responsible for too few red blood cells (such as in evaluating anemia). Too much EPO might be causing too many red blood cells (polycythemia). Too much EPO might be evidence for a kidney tumor. Too much EPO in an athlete suggests EPO abuse. The patient is usually asked to fast […]
- Test, exercise
See exercise cardiac treadmill.