Home
HelpTest ID CEASF Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Spinal Fluid
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Submission Container/Tube: 13 x 75-mm tube
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.
Secondary ID
90695Useful For
Detecting meningeal carcinomatosis and intradural or extradural infiltration
Differentiating brain parenchymal metastasis from adenocarcinoma or squamous-cell carcinoma
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name
Carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA), CSFSpecimen Type
CSFSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) normally is present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in very low concentrations. Elevations in serum CEA can cause passive transfer to CSF. Tumors of the brain, especially metastatic tumors, can elevate CSF CEA.
Reference Values
<0.6 ng/mL
Tumor markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Cautions
Although the assay appears to be specific for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, increased carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) values in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are not seen in all patients with such tumors of the brain.
Mildly elevated CEA values in CSF may be secondary to passive transfer from the serum in individuals with high serum CEA concentrations.
In rare cases, some individuals can develop antibodies to mouse or other animal antibodies (often referred to as human anti-mouse antibodies [HAMA] or heterophile antibodies), which may cause interference in some immunoassays. Caution should be used in interpretation of results and the laboratory should be alerted if the result does not correlate with the clinical presentation.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82378