Data Last Updated: Oct. 15, 2024

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Pretreatment Interpretation

Description

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Pretreatment Interpretation refers to the interpretation of the CEA value prior to treatment. CEA is a nonspecific tumor marker that has prognostic significance for colon and rectum cancer. CEA is **1).** A protein molecule found in many different cells of the body but associated with certain tumors and with the developing fetus. **2).** CEA is used as a tumor marker especially for gastrointestinal cancers, as colorectal cancer is the most frequent cause for an increased/elevated CEA. **3).** CEA is also elevated by biliary obstruction, alcoholic hepatitis, and heavy smoking. **4).** CEA level is most frequently tested on blood serum, but it may be tested in body fluids and/or biopsy tissue. **5).** An abnormally high CEA level prior to tumor resection is expected to fall following successful removal of the cancer. **6).** An increasing value indicates possible recurrence. There are 2 related data items that record information on CEA for Colon and Rectum. * 3820: CEA Pretreatment Lab Value * 3819: CEA Pretreatment Interpretation

Notes

**Note 1:** **Physician Statement** * Physician statement of CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Interpretation can be used to code this data item when no other information is available. **Note 2:** **Pretreatment results only** * Record the interpretation of the highest CEA test result documented in the medical record **prior to treatment or a polypectomy**. **Note 3:** **Related data item**. * The same laboratory test should be used to record information in the related data item 3820: CEA Lab Value
Code Description
0 CEA negative/normal; within normal limits
1 CEA positive/elevated
2 Borderline
3 Undetermined if positive or negative (normal values not available)
AND no MD interpretation
7 Test ordered, results not in chart
8 Not applicable: Information not collected for this case
(If this data item is required by your standard setter, use of code 8 will result in an edit error.)
9 Not documented in medical record
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Pretreatment Interpretation not assessed or unknown if assessed