Clinical significance of CEA levels in lung cancer

: Serum concentrations of CEA, Ferritin, beta 2-MG, TPA and IAP were measured in patients with lung cancer. Significant difference of positive rate between lung cancer and benign chest disease was observed only in CEA and TPA. CEA elevations occurred most frequently with stage IV and histologically with adenocarcinoma. Positive CEA levels (greater than or equal to 5 ng/ml) of pleural effusion were observed in 75% of all patients with lung cancer and increased to 94% in patients with positive cytology of effusion. There was not significant difference of bronchial washings CEA levels between lung cancer and benign chest disease. Furthermore, serial measurement of postoperative CEA levels had considerable value in monitoring the course of disease following resection.