CEA (Carcino-embryonic Antigen) Test in Kathmandu

About this test

Carcino-embryonic antigen is a protein normally produced in the developing gut before birth and present only in trace amounts in healthy adults. Because certain tumours switch this protein back on, CEA is used mainly as a tumour marker rather than a screening test. Its single most established role is in colorectal (bowel) cancer: an oncologist checks CEA at diagnosis to set a baseline, then repeats it after surgery and during follow-up, where a falling level suggests successful treatment and a rising trend can be the earliest sign that disease has returned, often before scans show anything. Modestly raised values may also accompany cancers of the stomach, pancreas, lung, breast and ovary, so the number is always read in the context of imaging, colonoscopy, biopsy and the clinical picture rather than alone. Importantly, CEA is not specific to cancer — it rises in many benign conditions common in Nepal, including smoking, chronic bronchitis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and liver conditions such as cirrhosis, while a normal CEA does not rule cancer out. For this reason doctors do not use it to diagnose cancer in a person with no symptoms or to "check for cancer" on request. A doctor typically orders it when bowel cancer has already been confirmed or strongly suspected, when monitoring a known tumour's response to chemotherapy, or when investigating unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding or anaemia alongside other tests. Because trends matter more than a one-off figure, we recommend repeat samples are run by the same laboratory and method for reliable comparison over time.

Sample type

Blood (serum)

Preparation

No fasting required. If you smoke, tell us — smoking mildly raises CEA and helps us interpret your result correctly.

Turnaround time

Reports for CEA (Carcino-embryonic Antigen) are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other hormones tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside CEA (Carcino-embryonic Antigen) or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.