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Blood test

Overview Risks Results

CEA

Alternative Names: Carcinoembryonic antigen What the risks are: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Multiple punctures to locate veins Special considerations: This test is most useful to follow response to treatment in patients with known cancer. Abnormal levels can be found in patients without cancer. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample may be more difficult from some people than from others.

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