About Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Key Highlights
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Simple and minimally invasive blood draw procedure.Valuable tool for monitoring response to cancer therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation).Helps in the early detection of cancer recurrence after initial treatment.Provides prognostic information to guide treatment planning.Can be used in conjunction with imaging studies for a more complete clinical picture.
Who is this surgery for?
- Monitoring patients with known diagnoses of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, or medullary thyroid cancer.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing cancer treatment.
- Screening for recurrence in patients with a history of CEA-sensitive cancers post-treatment.
- Pre-operative assessment in some cancer cases to establish a baseline level.
- Part of the diagnostic workup for certain cancers when combined with other tests, though not for primary screening in the general population.
How to prepare
- Typically requires no special preparation like fasting, but follow your doctor's specific instructions.
- Inform your oncologist about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking.
- Disclose if you are a smoker, as smoking can elevate CEA levels.
- Mention any recent illnesses or inflammatory conditions.
- Wear clothing that allows easy access to the arm for the blood draw.
Risks & possible complications
- Risks are minimal and similar to a standard blood test, including slight pain or bruising at the puncture site.
- Very low risk of infection, bleeding, or fainting (vasovagal response).
- Potential for false-positive results (elevated CEA without cancer) due to smoking, inflammation, or benign conditions.
- Potential for false-negative results (normal CEA despite active cancer), as not all cancers produce this marker.
- Psychological stress or anxiety related to waiting for or interpreting test results.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate recovery is quick; you can typically resume normal activities right after the blood draw.
- Apply light pressure to the puncture site with a cotton ball or bandage to prevent bruising.
- Keep the area clean and dry for a few hours.
- Results are usually available within a few days and will be discussed in detail by your oncologist.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to interpret the results in the context of your overall treatment plan and determine next steps.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering carcinoembryonic antigen in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for carcinoembryonic antigen in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform carcinoembryonic antigen. MediFyr helps you compare oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for carcinoembryonic antigen compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Carcinoembryonic Antigen in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated oncologist teams and experience managing patients undergoing carcinoembryonic antigen.
Aadya Singh, a 58-year-old former school...
Aadya Singh, a 58-year-old former school principal from Delhi, had been in remission from stage III colon cancer for three years following surgery and chemotherapy. Her oncologist, Dr. Mehta, had been monitoring her with regular CEA tests. At her latest check-up, Aadya felt perfectly healthy but the blood test showed a subtle, steady rise in her Carcinoembryonic Antigen levels over the past six months. Dr. Mehta recommended the test as a crucial early warning system, explaining that it could indicate a recurrence before any symptoms appeared. The procedure itself was a simple blood draw, but for Aadya, the vial represented immense anxiety. The emotional wait for results was agonizing; she was terrified of returning to the battle she thought she'd won. The elevated CEA led to a prompt PET scan, which revealed a small, localized recurrence in her liver. While devastating news, catching it early meant it was treatable with targeted radiation. Aadya's journey shifted from the fear of the unknown to a determined focus. The CEA test, though a bearer of hard news, ultimately gave her a fighting chance and a sense of agency, transforming her anxiety into a proactive resolve to tackle this new chapter.
Oncologists for Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Explore experienced oncologists who regularly perform carcinoembryonic antigen and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 4 Years Experience
- Medical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 23 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 19 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 17 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada