Carcinoembryonic Antigen Market Size

Carcinoembryonic Antigen Market size was valued at USD 2.34 billion in 2024 and is predicted to exceed USD 5.31 billion by the end of 2037, witnessing over 6.5% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of carcinoembryonic antigen is evaluated at USD 2.49 billion.

A major driver of the global carcinoembryonic antigen market is the rising cases of cancers worldwide, such as colorectal and breast cancer, driving demand for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests. For instance, in February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an increased global cancer burden. WHO’s estimate predicts over 35 million new cancer cases in 2050, indicating a whopping 77% increase from the 20 million cases in 2022. Furthermore, countries with high human development index (HDI) are expected to register the largest increase in cancer incidence, with 4.8 million new cases predicted in 2050, and the proportional increase in middle and low HDI countries is expected to register a 99% and 142% increase respectively. The trends are favorable to drive a rapid rise in demand for CEA tests benefiting the sector’s growth.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity have been linked to elevated CEA levels, influencing the dynamics of the carcinoembryonic antigen market. Studies have indicated that smokers exhibit higher CEA concentrations in comparison to non-smokers, which correlates with an increased risk of cancer development. For instance, in March 2022, a study published in Tobacco Control indicated the adult smoking prevalence in 2020 was 32.6% and estimated around 1.18 billion people regularly smoke tobacco worldwide. While smoking prevalence globally has fallen, it remains a major health burden, especially in APAC, which is poised to offer opportunities in the carcinoembryonic antigen market.

Furthermore, the sector is poised to leverage the advancements in diagnostic tools. Rising CEA levels after treatment indicate cancer recurrence, which drives demand for regular testing for individuals in remission. For instance, the National Cancer Institute of the U.S. indicated 18.1 million cancer survivors in the country in 2022, accounting for approximately 5.4% of the population with the number expected to increase to 19.2 million by 2040. The statistics indicate opportunities for CEA tests and advancements in molecular markets in the future are expected to improve diagnostic accuracy. The favorable trends indicate that the carcinoembryonic antigen sector is poised to maintain its robust growth by the end of the forecast period.