--- title: CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test type: test id: cea url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/cea-test" price_usd: 119.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 125.99 cpt: 82378 category: Cancer Screening sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "2–4 business days" labs: - Quest - Labcorp orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cea-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test > 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. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $119.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($125.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 82378 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 2–4 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) test tell you? A tumor marker primarily used to monitor colorectal cancer, but also elevated in other GI, lung, and breast cancers. 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. **Clinical use:** Tumor marker and cancer-screening blood tests help detect early signs of cancer, monitor treatment response, and watch for recurrence. ## Who should order it? 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. ## Biomarkers measured - [CEA](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/cea) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $119.99 | $125.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | Labcorp | $119.99 | $125.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) test cost? 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. ## How do you prepare? No fasting required. ## Related conditions - Cancer screening (Z12.89) - Family history of cancer (Z80.9) ## Common questions about the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) test ### How long do CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) results take? Most CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) results are available in 2–4 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### What sample is collected for the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)? Blood draw. Sample is collected at a Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference patient service center near you, or via at-home phlebotomy where available. ### How much does the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) cost without insurance? On TestWell, the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is $119.99. Quest Direct lists comparable tests at $39. Walk-in hospital labs typically bill $175 or more without insurance. Insurance is not required — pay one all-in price. ### Do I need to fast before the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)? No fasting required for the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen). No fasting required. ### Where can I get the CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) done? The CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is available at Quest and Labcorp patient service centers nationwide. Order online at TestWell, pick your preferred lab, and we'll generate a digital requisition for the location closest to you. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=cea-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 2–4 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [Men's Cancer Screening Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-cancer-screening-panel) — 12 tests · $299.99 - [Women's Cancer Screening Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-cancer-screening-panel) — 12 tests · $299.99 - [CA 19-9 (Pancreatic Cancer Marker)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ca-19-9-test) — $28.99 - [Colon Cancer Screening Test (FIT)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fit-fecal-immunochemical-test) — $59.99 - [Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test](https://www.test-well.com/tests/galleri-multi-cancer-detection) — $949.99 - [All Cancer Screening tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/cancer-screening) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/cea-test Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.