Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

22192 CEA, Body Fluid

CEA, Body Fluid
Test Code: CEA-O
Synonyms/Keywords
​Body Fluid CEA, Carcinoembryonic Ag-Other
Useful For
Aids in distinguishing between mucinous and non-mucinous pancreatic cysts and likelihood of a malignant pancreatic cyst when used in conjunction with imaging studies cytology and other pancreatic cyst tumor markers.
An adjuvant to cytology and imaging studies to differentiate between nonmalignant and malignant causes of pleural effusions & peritoneal fluid.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Pancreatic Cyst Fluid / Body Fluid ​Body Fluid Container ​Plastic Vial 300 uL 100 uL N/A
Collection Processing Instructions
Do not collect the specimen with preservatives or anticoagulants. Specimens should be centrifuged to remove cells or clots, if present.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Panceratic Cyst Fluid / Body Fluid​ ​ ​ ​ Ambient​ N/A
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen at -20 deg Celsius​ ​30 days
​Frozen at -70 deg Celsius ​> 30 Days
​ ​One freeze and thaw cycle acceptable ​
Rejection Criteria
​Blood or Urine
Interference
The possibility exists for interference by heterophile antibodies & HAMA in the patient sample regularly exposed to animals or has received immunotherapy or diagnostic procedures utilizing immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​
 Two-step Sandwich Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminometric Technology/Siemens Centaur ​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Reference cut-off limits for CEA for pancreatic cyst fluid and other body fluids have not been established and verified.

The test results should not be the sole basis of diagnosis and always be correlated with imaging and cytology.​
Interpretation
Diagnosis of a pancreatic cyst is often difficult and requires correlation of imaging studies, cytology studies and tumor marker results on cyst aspirates. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been found to be most helpful tumor marker in differentiating between mucinous and non-mucinous pancreatic cysts. Higher concentrations of CEA have greater likelihood that mucinous cyst may be malignant but CEA does not distinguish between benign, premalignant or malignant mucinous cysts.

Based on evidence available and recommendations by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) practice guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Neoplastic Pancreatic Cysts (Am. J. Gastroenterol. 2007; 102: 2339-2349), a pancreatic cyst fluid CEA concentration > 800 ng/ml has high specificity to exclude pseudocysts and concentration > 200 ng/mL is suggestive but not diagnostic of mucinous cyst. Cyst fluid concentrations of <= 5 ng/ml indicate low risk for mucinous cyst and are more consistent of serous cystadenoma.

This test does not distinguish between malignant and non-malignant mucinous cysts. Test should not be ordered for pancreatic fluid of non-cyst origin.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82378​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Body Fluid CEA, Carcinoembryonic Ag-Other
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​CEA
​Cerner ​CEA, Body Fluid
​COM ​CEA-Other
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Pancreatic Cyst Fluid / Body Fluid ​Body Fluid Container ​Plastic Vial 300 uL 100 uL N/A
Collection Processing
Do not collect the specimen with preservatives or anticoagulants. Specimens should be centrifuged to remove cells or clots, if present.​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Panceratic Cyst Fluid / Body Fluid​ ​ ​ ​ Ambient​ N/A
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen at -20 deg Celsius​ ​30 days
​Frozen at -70 deg Celsius ​> 30 Days
​ ​One freeze and thaw cycle acceptable ​
Rejection Criteria
​Blood or Urine
Interference
The possibility exists for interference by heterophile antibodies & HAMA in the patient sample regularly exposed to animals or has received immunotherapy or diagnostic procedures utilizing immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments.
Useful For
Aids in distinguishing between mucinous and non-mucinous pancreatic cysts and likelihood of a malignant pancreatic cyst when used in conjunction with imaging studies cytology and other pancreatic cyst tumor markers.
An adjuvant to cytology and imaging studies to differentiate between nonmalignant and malignant causes of pleural effusions & peritoneal fluid.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Reference cut-off limits for CEA for pancreatic cyst fluid and other body fluids have not been established and verified.

The test results should not be the sole basis of diagnosis and always be correlated with imaging and cytology.​
Interpretation
Diagnosis of a pancreatic cyst is often difficult and requires correlation of imaging studies, cytology studies and tumor marker results on cyst aspirates. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been found to be most helpful tumor marker in differentiating between mucinous and non-mucinous pancreatic cysts. Higher concentrations of CEA have greater likelihood that mucinous cyst may be malignant but CEA does not distinguish between benign, premalignant or malignant mucinous cysts.

Based on evidence available and recommendations by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) practice guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Neoplastic Pancreatic Cysts (Am. J. Gastroenterol. 2007; 102: 2339-2349), a pancreatic cyst fluid CEA concentration > 800 ng/ml has high specificity to exclude pseudocysts and concentration > 200 ng/mL is suggestive but not diagnostic of mucinous cyst. Cyst fluid concentrations of <= 5 ng/ml indicate low risk for mucinous cyst and are more consistent of serous cystadenoma.

This test does not distinguish between malignant and non-malignant mucinous cysts. Test should not be ordered for pancreatic fluid of non-cyst origin.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​
 Two-step Sandwich Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminometric Technology/Siemens Centaur ​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82378​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.