Benefit of carcinoembryonic antigen assessment in gastrointestinal tract diseases

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was assessed in 248 subjects (183 men and 65 women) in the age range between 15 and 88 years - patients suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) over a period of six years. The patients were divided into two groups with regard to their GIT diagnosis - in the first group were 97 patients: primary tumor of the GIT was found in 57 patients and 40 patients were suffering from a secondary tumor (metastases). The second group consisted of 151 patients with nontumorous diseases of the GIT. CEA was assessed by radioimmunoassay using an OPIDI RIA-CEA kit commercially manufactured in Poland. Levels above 100 ng/ml (standard level 10 ng/ml) were recorded in 17 patients (four times in colorectal carcinoma, twice in carcinoma of the pancreas, six times in carcinoma of the liver and gall bladder, once in disseminated abdominal cancer, once in cancer of the mammary gland and once in chronic hepatitis.) CEA levels in the range of 10 to 100 ng/ml were recorded 68 times (incl. control samples) in 61 patients: 34 times in the first group, 26 times in the second. The obtained results are in agreement with data reported in the literature. The interpretation of elevated CEA levels should always be made in close correlation with all clinical and laboratory examinations, case history and physical findings. (author)