The short answer
A tumor marker primarily used to monitor colorectal cancer, but also elevated in other GI, lung, and breast cancers, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $119.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 2–4 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
TestWell Price
$119.99
+ $6 lab processing fee
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is a protein found in certain tissues during fetal development that is normally present only in trace amounts in adults. Elevated levels can indicate the presence of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, or ovarian cancer. CEA is most useful for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence rather than initial diagnosis. Smoking and some benign conditions (IBD, cirrhosis) can also raise CEA levels.
Tumor marker and cancer-screening blood tests help detect early signs of cancer, monitor treatment response, and watch for recurrence.
Adults with personal or family history of cancer, patients monitoring known cancer or recovery, and those at elevated risk based on age, lifestyle, or genetic factors.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
2–4 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
Your CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 2–4 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
No fasting required.
A CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) test costs $119.99 at TestWell — $125.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $175.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $119.99 | $125.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $175.00 | $175.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
Lab test codes: Quest test code 978 · Labcorp test no. 002139. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
TestWell Price
$119.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
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CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
$119.99