carcinoembryonic antigen

n. CEA, antigen found in an increased amount in the blood of people who suffer from certain cancers (such as colon cancer) or other diseases and in the blood of heavy smokers

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion. It is normally produced during fetal development, but the production of CEA stops before birth. Therefore, it is not usually present in the blood of healthy adults, although levels are raised in heavy smokers. CEA was first identified in 1965 by Phil Gold and Samuel O. Freedman in human colon cancer tissue extracts. It was found that serum from individuals with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast carcinomas had higher levels of CEA than healthy individuals.
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Car·ci·no·em·bry·on·ic antigen n. Abbr. CEA A glycoprotein present in fetal gastrointestinal tissue, generally absent from adult cells with the [more]Carcinoembryonic antigen - Community and Resources

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CEA. A substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have certain cancers, other diseases, or who smoke. It is used as a tumor marker for colorectal cancer.