Clinical applications of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein levels in children with solid tumours.
A study was carried out on serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-feto-protein (AFP) levels, both measured by radioimmunoassay, in 88 children with malignant solid tumours and in 26 children with nonmalignant disorders, who presented during the years 1973-77. Slightly or moderately raised CEA levels were found at presentation in 11 of 66 children with malignant tumours, in 2 others with recurrent tumours, and in 4 children with nonmalignant disorders. Raised CEA levels generally indicated advanced malignant disease, often affecting the liver, or other hepatic disorders, but were not associated with a specific tumour type. Except in the first months of life, significantly raised AFP levels were detected only in 11 patients with yolk sac-derived tumours, or hepatomas, and in one child with tyrosinosis who later developed a malignant hepatoma. Serial measurements of AFP accurately reflected the clinical response to treatment and in 2 patients indicated recurrence before this could be detected clinically.
D000293:Adolescent; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins