Tuberc Respir Dis.  1987 Sep;34(3):209-216. 10.4046/trd.1987.34.3.209.

Diagnostic Values of Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Bronchial Washing Fluid

• KMID: 2528644
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1987.34.3.209

Abstract

Synthesis of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is dependent on the epithelial cell function, which could be influenced by malignant change. To evaluate the diagnostic values of CEA in bronchial tree to differente malignant from benign lung disease, CEA was measured in bronchial washing fluid of 42 patients with lung cancer and benign lung diseases. We calculated corrected CEA of bronchial washing fluid which was the ratio of CEA to total protein of bronchial washing fluid to compensate di1ution factor of washing saline. There was no difference of serum CEA concentration between lung cancer and benign lung diseases, but differences of CEA and corrected CEA concentration of bronchial washing fluid between lung cancer and benign lung diseases were significant (p < 0.05) There was no difference of CEA concentration of bronchial washing fluid between smokers and nonsmokers, but differences of serum CEA (p<0.05) and corrected CEA (p < 0.01) of bronchial washing fluid between smokers and nonsmokers were significant. In conclusion, CEA and corrected CEA concentration of bronchial washing fluid in lung cancer are signficantly different from those of benign lung diseases, but may be influenced by other factors. especially smoking. Therefore, CEA measurement of bronchial washing fluid have individually little diagnostic values to differenciate malignancy. But we think it is valuable test when combined with other studies and clinical features.