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Choose collection locationTumour Markers · Individual laboratory test
Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA)
CEA is mainly used to follow certain established cancers, especially colorectal cancer. It is interpreted as a trend within the treating clinician's plan.
Price for this test on its ownAED 180Test price AED 80
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA) measure?
Also called Colorectal Cancer Marker
CEA may provide a baseline that the oncology team can follow during treatment or surveillance, most commonly in an established colorectal cancer pathway.
When it may be requested
Following selected cancers
CEA is sometimes measured during follow-up of established colorectal and other cancers.
Interpreting a change
Smoking, liver conditions and previous measurements can influence the clinical context.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
No fast is needed. Tell the team if you smoke and bring the previous CEA values and collection dates when monitoring cancer treatment.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideCarcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA)
Reading your result
Trends are interpreted alongside imaging and other clinical evidence. Smoking and some non-cancerous conditions can influence the level.
What can affect it
- A single CEA result cannot confirm cancer or serve as population screening.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testCarcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA)
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA) in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Keep track of the dates of cancer treatment, any smoking change and the laboratory used when reviewing a CEA trend.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
Compare the other tests in each package before choosing.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Can CEA be used to check whether I am free of bowel cancer?
No. Some cancers do not raise CEA, and non-cancerous factors can raise it. It cannot replace appropriate screening or investigation of symptoms.
Which cancers can raise CEA?
CEA is best known in colorectal cancer, where it tends to be higher when the disease is widespread rather than confined. Cancers of the pancreas, stomach, lung, breast, thyroid and ovary can also raise it. Many tumours release little or none, so CEA is used to follow a cancer already diagnosed rather than to find one.
Why should repeat CEA tests be done at the same laboratory?
Results from different assay platforms are not interchangeable, so a change between two laboratories may reflect the method rather than your disease. Keeping the same laboratory and, where practical, a similar time of day makes the trend reliable. Bring previous CEA reports so the readings can be plotted together.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore health packages.
Open a package to see exactly which tests it includes.
Cancer Markers (Female)
A defined selection of tumour markers, with a blood count and stool occult blood, for clinician-directed assessment. These results cannot confirm or rule out cancer on their own.
- biomarkers
- 28
- Samples
- Blood + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 499
Explore package
Cancer Markers (Male)
A defined tumour-marker selection including PSA, with a blood count and stool occult blood, for clinician-directed assessment. Results cannot confirm or rule out cancer alone.
- biomarkers
- 27
- Samples
- Blood + Stool
- Listed turnaround
- 48 hours
AED 499
Explore package
Basic Health Checkup
Blood count, liver, kidney, cholesterol, blood sugar and urine tests: the essentials in one visit.
- biomarkers
- 63
- Samples
- Blood + Urine
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 199
Explore package
Basic Wellness
A complete blood count with liver enzymes, cholesterol, kidney markers and fasting blood sugar from one blood sample.
- biomarkers
- 31
- Samples
- Blood
- Listed turnaround
- 24 hours
AED 129
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Your next step
Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA) test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.