Specimen Collection

Sample stability:

• 7 days at 20-25 ^o C
• 14 days at 2-8 ^o C
• 6 months at -20 ^o C

4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Blood (Preferred)

5 mL Heparin Blood

4 mL Plain Blood

3.5 mL SST Blood
Reference Intervals

Units: ug/L

Reference range : < 3.0 (non smokers)

Approximately 13% of otherwise healthy smokers have CEA levels of up to 5.0 ug/L

Uncertainty of Measurement : 6%

Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method

Principle: Sandwich type immunoassay with chemiluminescence detection

Reagents: Roche e-pack CEA

Analyser: Cobas e801

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

This is a non-specific test which may be increased in both benign and malignant diseases.

It is therefore of limited use for diagnosis.

Its main value is for monitoring patients with tumours which secrete CEA. Levels fall with successful treatment and a rise may indicate tumour recurrence.

CEA may be elevated with the following carcinomas:

• Colorectal (70%)
• Pancreatic (55%)
• Gastric (50%)
• Lung (45%)
• Breast (40%)
• Uterine (40%)
• Ovarian (25%)

Benign conditions causing elevated CEA include:

• Cirrhosis (45%)
• Emphysema (30%)
• Rectal polyps (5%)
• Benign breast disease (15%)
• Ulcerative colitis (15%)

Contact Information

The chemical pathology team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

After-hours: contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .

• Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
• Dr Cam Kyle : CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
• Dr Weldon Chiu : WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Campbell Heron : CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe Saku.Jayasinghe@adhb.govt.nz
• Dr Owen Yi WenyiYi@adhb.govt.nz

Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026