What do the results mean?If you were tested before you started treatment for cancer, your results may show:A low level of CEA. This may mean your tumor is small and the cancer has not spread to other parts of your body.A high level of CEA. This may mean you have a larger tumor and/or your cancer may have spread.If you are being treated for cancer, you may be tested several times throughout treatment. These results may show:Your levels of CEA started high and remained high. This may mean your cancer is not responding to treatment.Your levels of CEA started high but then decreased. This may mean your treatment is working.Your CEA levels decreased, but then later increased. This may mean your cancer has come back after you've been treated.If you had a test on a body fluid (CSF, peritoneal, or pleural), a high level of CEA may mean the cancer has spread to that area.If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
