a glycoprotein found in serum, urine, etc. that is associated with various types of tumors: monitoring its levels is useful in treating cancer patients
See carcinoembryonic antigen in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(kärˌsə-nō-ĕmˌbrē-ŏnˈĭk)
noun Abbr. CEA
A glycoprotein present in fetal gastrointestinal tissue and in the cells or serum of adults having certain types of cancers. It is used clinically to monitor the effectiveness of a treatment, as for colorectal cancer.