Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is CEA-Scan Ž?
Is a Nuclear Medicine Study Safe?
What are the side effects?
What do I have to do to prepare for the CEA-Scan ?
How are the images taken?
Will I have more images the next day?
Is reimbursement available?
Will I need time to recover from a CEA-Scan?
How does CEA-Scan leave my body?

What is CEA-Scan?

Carcinoembryonic antigen or CEA is a substance expressed by a variety of tumors including those commonly found in the intestines. Tumors can shed CEA into the blood stream and you may have had blood tests to detect the levels of circulating CEA. Blood CEA levels can give information about the presence, but not the actual location of tumors.

CEA-Scan is a diagnostic agent consisting of a mouse-derived antibody, tagged with a radioactive tracer. The combined antibody and radioactive tracer seek out and localize some tumors that can not be detected by other means.

CEA-Scan is a type of test called a Nuclear Medicine Scan. These scans are images used to determine the health of various organ systems. With a special camera, images of areas were the tracer localizes within the body are made. The pattern formed by the tracer gives the physician information the health of the organ being studied.

Is a Nuclear Medicine Study Safe?

Both Nuclear Medicine images and CEA-Scan are very safe. Radiation exposure is similar to other common X-ray studies and additional images do not lead to harmful radiation exposure.

To enhance the success of the test and overall safety, please inform the physician or technologist if you:

Have allergies to any drugs or other substances.
Are taking any medicines.
Have any medical conditions.
You have a colostomy.
Are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What are the side effects?

Some side effects, although rare, have been reported. These include nausea, upset stomach, headache, itching, fever, a rough patch on the skin, a small increase in the number of certain white blood cells called eosinophils (but without any apparent symptoms). If you experience any of these or any other unwanted effect after you are given this drug, tell your doctor.

What do I have to do to prepare for the CEA-Scan ?

Drink plenty of water (a total of four 8-ounce glasses), starting the afternoon before the day of the test. Drink another large glass of water the morning of the test and refrain from drinks with caffeine (colas, coffee, tea, etc.).

CEA-Scan is usually injected in a vein on your arm. After the injection of CEA-Scan has been completed, you will be asked to return in about 2 to 3 hrs for the images. The wait is needed to allow the tracer time to concentrate in the area being studied.

Upon returning for the scan a catheter may be placed in the bladder, if the physician deems it necessary. The catheter is needed since urine in the bladder can mask tumors in the lower part of the abdomen. If you never had a urinary catheter, please ask your physician to explain this simple procedure.

How are the images taken?

The technologist will help you lie down on a narrow scanning table, which is then placed under a large camera. Adjustments to the camera and table will be made periodically to allow several images to be taken in various angles. Each image takes between 10 to 40 minutes to complete. As such, it is very important to remain very still and to breathe normally. Ask the technologist to place pillows under your head or knees as necessary for comfort since the session will take approximately 2 hours to complete.

Will I have more images the next day?

You may have to wait a short time after the imaging session is complete while the scans are checked for quality. Usually, you may return to your normal routine immediately. Occasionally, additional images may be needed the following day to see if there is any change in the pattern of the tracer uptake in your body. The Nuclear Medicine physician or technologist will give you any instructions and the amount time (usually about 30 minutes) needed to complete the images on the following day.

Is reimbursement available?

Most insurers, including Medicare, reimburse health care providers for CEA-Scan studies. If you have any questions, please discuss them with your insurer. Your physician’s or hospital insurance specialist may be also able to give you additional information.

Will I need time to recover from a CEA-Scan?

Probably not. Most people can resume normal activities immediately.

How does CEA-Scan leave my body?

It washes out with your urine. You can speed this process along by drinking more fluids.