title: The cytologic application of carcinoembryonic antigen for the discrimination of malignant from benign serous effusions.
abstract: In an attempt to diminish false cytologic diagnosis in discriminating between benign and malignant effusions, the value of intracellular carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was estimated in cytologic smears of effusions using a modified immunoperoxidase technique. CEA serum level was estimated by radioimmunoassay technique. In this study we included a group of 42 patients, 23 with a malignant and 19 with a benign effusion. CEA in cells of effusions was positive and useful for confirming malignancy in 65% of malignant effusions. The percentage increased to 83% with the combination of the results of positive CEA in cells and serum. Cytology was positive for malignancy in 16 of the 23 (70%) malignant cases. CEA in cells of benign effusions was negative in 84% and cytology in 100%. It is concluded that intracellular CEA estimation, when combined with CEA estimation in serum, improves the discriminating range of cytology for differentiating malignant and benign effusions.
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen