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HelpTest ID CEAPT Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Peritoneal Fluid
Useful For
An adjunct to cytology to differentiate between malignancy-related and benign causes of ascites formation
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name
CEA, Peritoneal FluidSpecimen Type
PeritonealContainer/Tube: Plain, plastic, screw top tube
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request Form (T729) with the specimen
(http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/oncology-request-form.pdf)
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (Samples <0.5 mL may be rejected)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Peritoneal | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days |
| Ambient | 7 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Malignancy accounts for approximately 7% of cases of ascites formation. Malignant disease can cause ascites by various mechanisms including: peritoneal carcinomatosis (53%), massive liver metastasis causing portal hypertension (13%), peritoneal carcinomatosis plus massive liver metastasis (13%), hepatocellular carcinoma plus cirrhosis (7%), and chylous ascites due to lymphoma (7%). The evaluation and diagnosis of malignancy-related ascites is based on the patient clinical history, ascites fluid analysis, and imaging tests.
The overall sensitivity of cytology for the detection of malignancy-related ascites ranges from 58% to 75%. Cytology examination is most successful in patients with ascites related to peritoneal carcinomatosis as viable malignant cells are exfoliated into the ascitic fluid. However, only approximately 53% of patients with malignancy-related ascites have peritoneal carcinomatosis. Patients with other causes of malignancy-related ascites almost always have a negative cytology.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein that is shed from the surface of malignant cells. Measurement of CEA in ascitic fluid has been proposed as a helpful test in detecting malignancy-related ascites given the limited sensitivity of cytology.
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Cautions
Do not use peritoneal fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration as absolute evidence of the presence or the absence of malignant disease. The CEA result should be interpreted in conjunction with information from the clinical evaluation of the patient and other diagnostic procedures.
Immunometric assays can, in rare occasions, be subject to interferences such as "hooking" at very high analyte concentrations (false-low results) and heterophilic antibody interference (false-high results). If the clinical picture does not fit the laboratory result, these possibilities should be considered.
CEA values are method-dependent; therefore, the same method should be used if patients are serially monitored.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; Varies
Report Available
Same day/1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82378