Serum CEA in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) were determined in 65 patients with non-small cell lung cancer to investigate the correlation with clinico-pathologic characteristics. The most common histologic type was sdenocarcinoma(44.6%), followed by sqaumous cell carcinoma(41.5%) and large cell carcinoma(9.2%). Many patients were in unresectable advanced stage(IIIB : 21.5%, IV : 46.2%). Serum CEA was positive(defined as>10ng/ml) in 28 patients(43.1%). The positivity of Serum CEA was signigicantly higher in adenocarcinoma(69.0%) than that in sqaumous cell carcinoma(25.9%) and large cell carcinoma(0.0%)(p=0.0004). There was no statistically significant difference in positivity of CEA according to stages. Serum CEA level does not seem to be seletive or specific standard tumor marker of non-small cell lung cancer patients. However, it may be useful as prognostic marker or monitor of treatment results, especially in adenocarcinoma.