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HelpTest Code CEAPT Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Peritoneal Fluid
Reporting Name
CEA, Peritoneal FluidUseful For
An adjunct to cytology to differentiate between malignancy-related and benign causes of ascites formation
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
PeritonealSpecimen Required
Container/Tube: Plain, plastic, screw top tube
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peritoneal | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days | ||
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
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
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEAPT | CEA, Peritoneal Fluid | 40622-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CEAPN | CEA, Peritoneal Fluid | 40622-3 |
| SITED | Site | 39111-0 |
Interpretation
A peritoneal fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration greater than 6.0 ng/mL is suspicious, but not diagnostic, of malignancy-related ascites. This clinical decision limit cutoff yielded 48% sensitivity and 99% specificity in a study of 137 patients presenting with ascites. CEA concentrations were significantly higher in ascites caused by malignancies known to be associated with elevated serum CEA levels, including lung, breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, and colorectal cancers. However, ascites caused by other malignancies, such as lymphoma, mesothelioma, leukemia, and melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, routinely had CEA concentrations less than 6.0 ng/mL. Therefore, negative results should be interpreted with caution, especially in patients who have, or are suspected of having, a malignancy not associated with elevated CEA levels in serum.
Clinical Reference
1. Torresini RJ, Prolla JC, Diehl AR, Morais EK, Jobim LF: Combined carcinoembryonic antigen and cytopathologic examination in ascites. Acta Cytol. 2000 Sep-Oct;44(5):778-782
2. Tuzun Y, Yilmaz S, Dursun M, et al: How to increase the diagnostic value of malignancy-related ascites: discriminative ability of the ascitic tumour markers. J Int Med Res. 2009 Jan-Feb;37(1):87-95
3. Kaleta EJ, Tolan NV, Ness KA, O'Kane D, Algeciras-Schimnich A: CEA, AFP and CA 19-9 analysis in peritoneal fluid to differentiate causes of ascites formation. Clin Biochem. 2013 Jun;46(9):814-818. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2013.02.010
4. Trape J, Sant F, Montesinos J, et al: Comparative assessment of two strategies for interpreting tumor markers in ascitic effusions. In Vivo. 2020 Mar-Apr;34(2):715-722. doi: 10.21873/invivo.11829
Report Available
1 to 3 daysMethod Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.