carcinoembryonic antigen
noun
car·ci·no·em·bry·on·ic antigen
ˌkär-sə-nō-ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik- 
: a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues and in peripheral blood of patients with some forms of cancer
Examples of carcinoembryonic antigen in a Sentence
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This carcinoembryonic antigen test measures levels of the CEA protein in the blood, as certain cancers like colorectal may cause high levels.
—
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
In the 1950s, for instance, researchers linked a drug named methotrexate to an antibody that targets carcinoembryonic antigen, a common tumor marker, and tested whether the construct could treat advanced colorectal and ovarian cancers in people.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024
Tumor marker tests measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, proteins that appear in the blood in response to liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers.9 Imaging Tests Imaging tests can help visualize the tumor and surrounding structures.
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023
The Athletic reported that Mancini received word on June 21, 2021 that tests showed an elevation of a carcinoembryonic antigen at an above normal level.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
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Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
In the 1950s, for instance, researchers linked a drug named methotrexate to an antibody that targets carcinoembryonic antigen, a common tumor marker, and tested whether the construct could treat advanced colorectal and ovarian cancers in people.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024
Tumor marker tests measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, proteins that appear in the blood in response to liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers.9 Imaging Tests Imaging tests can help visualize the tumor and surrounding structures.
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023
The Athletic reported that Mancini received word on June 21, 2021 that tests showed an elevation of a carcinoembryonic antigen at an above normal level.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Carcinoembryonic antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinoembryonic%20antigen. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
carcinoembryonic antigen
noun
car·ci·no·em·bry·on·ic antigen
ˌkärs-ᵊn-ō-ˌem-brē-ˌän-ik-
: a glycoprotein present in fetal gut tissues during the first two trimesters of pregnancy and in peripheral blood of patients with some forms of cancer (as of the digestive system or the breast)
—abbreviation CEA
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